Skin Abrasion

Scraped skin or mucous membrane. An abrasion is usually a minor injury, but it can be serious if it covers a large area or if foreign materials become imbedded in it.

Body Parts Involved

• Skin or mucous membranes. The most common sites are usually over bone or other firm tissue.

Causes

• Falling on a hard, rough or jagged surface.
• Rough fabric, seams in clothing, ill-fitting shoes, or other parts of athletic equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads that constantly irritate the skin.

Signs & Symptoms

• Skin that looks scraped or irritated.
• Bleeding at the abrasion site.
• Immediate pain that lasts a short time.
• Crusting over of the abraded area in 3 to 5 days.

Treatment

Note:- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

First Aid

• For a scrape, wash the abraded area with plain soap and warm water as soon as possible. Scrub with a soft brush if possible. Soap acts as a solvent for imbedded dirt.
• For an irritation, protect the area against further abrasion. Use gauze or moleskin.

Continuing Care

• If foreign material is imbedded too deeply or the wound is too painful to cleanse thoroughly, seek medical help.
• Cleanse lightly each day. If crusting or oozing occurs, soak in warm water with a little dishwashing or laundry detergent.
• Between soakings, apply non-prescription antibiotic ointment.
• Cover lightly with a bandage during the day but leave the wound open to air at night.
• If infection occurs, use warm soaks more frequently. Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart, when possible.

Medication

• Apply non-prescription antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Spray with tincture of benzoin to reduce pain, if necessary.
• Don't use strong antiseptics such as iodine, Merthiolate, mercurochrome or alcohol. They will further irritate the skin.
• For minor discomfort, use aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the abrasion becomes infected.

Home Diet

No special diet

Diagnostic Measures

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and exam by a doctor
• X-rays of underlying tissue (sometimes) to rule out other injuries.

Prevention Tips

• Wear protective clothing, Including long sleeves, high socks, knee and elbow pads,and special clothing designed for your sport.
• Wear good-quality, well-fitting footgear to help avoid falls and to prevent foot abrasion.
• Choose athletic clothing wisely to avoid irritating fabric and poorly placed seams. A combination of cotton and synthetic may be the most comfortable. Seams on the inside of the thigh of shorts can be particularly irritating, and should be checked for roughness before purchase.
• Avoid poor-quality playing fields.