Grazes are part of life – we trip over or bump into things. These types of wounds are particularly common in children and athletes, who frequently fall and scrape their knees, elbows and hands. When you suffer an abrasion, the outer layer of the skin is scraped off, which can be painful and result in an increased risk of infection. Our abrasion guide provides tips on how to reduce the pain, keep the wound clean from dirt and debris, avoid infection, and ensure it heals as quickly as possible.
Superficial abrasions do not usually bleed as much as deep wounds. But this depends to some extent on where on your body the injury occurs. In the case of an abrasion to your face or head, even a superficial wound can bleed quite a lot. Superficial abrasions can also be more painful than deep wounds as the fine nerve endings under the skin are often damaged.
The easiest way to clean an abrasion or graze is with mild soap and running water at body temperature. Taking a shower could also help. To make it easier to treat, it could be a good idea in some cases to first loosen the dirt and grit in the wound. You can do this by placing a damp compress over the wound for half an hour.
Abrasions can be painful to treat. Therefor, it may be appropriate to apply a thin layer of numbing cream 4-5 minutes before treatment. Remember that certain products must not be used on children under 18 months.
It can be difficult to remove asphalt from the wound. Unfortunately, asphalt residue in wounds can also cause ugly scars. Always seek medical advice if you are uncertain or if it is difficult to clean the wound yourself.
Seek medical advice if pus forms in the wound, if it begins to exude/weep, or if the pain increases.
Webpage examined by Margareta Grauers, dermatology nurse, 29-06-2017
