An abrasion, also called a scrape or graze, is a wound to the superficial layer of the skin. Abrasions are usually caused by trauma, such as a fall, that grinds or scrapes away the skin surface, exposing the underlying tissues. Since the skin protects you against bacteria and other microbes, an abrasion opens up the underlying skin structures and tissues and exposes them to the possibility of infection. There are many strategies you can use to decrease the possibility of infection to an abrasion. One of them is covering the wound. When the abrasion is protected with a bandage or other coverage, the chances of infection decrease, allowing the wound to heal faster.
Wound Assessment and Bleeding
Once an abrasion occurs, it is important to assess the wound. Abrasion are superficial, but depending on the trauma that causes it, the skin can also suffer a laceration, which is a deeper cut that may need to be sutured to allow for proper healing. Trauma to the skin can cause bleeding, but the bleeding associated with scrapes or abrasion is usually minor and easily controlled. If the abrasion doesn’t stop bleeding on its own, you can try to make the bleeding stop by apply gentle pressure with a bandage or nonstick gauze for about 20 to 30 minutes. According to MayoClinic.com, it is better not to check continuously if the bleeding has stopped, since this risks dislodging a newly formed clot.
Cleaning the Wound
Trauma to the skin can introduce dirt while causing an abrasion. Dirt carries many microbes, so a dirty wound significantly increases the chances of infection and delayed wound healing. The best way to clean a wound is to run warm water to it. Use soap and a washcloth to clean around the area of the wound, but not the wound itself, since soap can irritate the wound. If there are dirt particles in the wound that do not come out with water, you can use tweezers to remove them. Once the wound is clean, you can apply a thin layer of topical antibiotic ointment over it before covering it with a clean, sterile bandage.
Covering the Wound
According to KidsHealth, wound healing begins when the blood clots, eventually forming a scab. Under the scab, skin cells and blood vessels being to reconstruct the damaged tissue. It is important that nothing disrupts this process, in order to achieve proper wound healing. Covering the wound helps avoid disruption of wound healing. A 1995 study published in the journal "Dermatology Surgery" found that occluding or covering the wound prevents desiccation, or drying, of the wound. This enhances re-epithelialization, the process of new skin formation. Another study, in the February 2007 issue of "Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America," reported that covering the wound maintains moisture, enhancing the healing process, and reducing pain and scarring. The other advantage of wound covering is that it prevents the wound from getting dirty, decreasing the chance of infection.
Signs of Infection
Covering the wound helps speed up wound healing, but infection can delay this process. It is therefore important to monitor for signs of wound infection. These include redness and swelling, continued or uncontrolled seepage of blood, increasing drainage and continuing pain. If any of those signs develop, you should seek medical attention.
References
- KidsHealth: Cuts, Scratches, and Abrasions
- "Dermatologic Surgery"; Moist Wound Healing with Occlusive Dressings; Kannon GA, Garrett AB.; July 1995
- MayoClinic.com: Cuts and scrapes: First aid
- "Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America"; Occlusive Wound Dressings in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care; Fonder MA, et al.; Feb. 2007
