Scrapes and Abrasions

An abrasion is an area of superficial skin that has been scraped off during a fall, such as a skinned knee. Wash the wound for at least 5 minutes with warm water and soap. The area will probably need to be gently scrubbed several times to get out all the dirt. You may have to remove some dirt particles with a pair of tweezers. Pieces of loose skin may be cut off with clean scissors. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the scrape with a bandaid or gauze dressing. Cleanse the area once a day with warm water and then reapply the ointment and dressing until the scrape is healed. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin) for pain relief.
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Call our office immediately if:                             

• There is dirt or grime in the wound that you can’t get out.
• Skin loss involves a very large area.
• The wound looks infected (yellowish or foul smelling discharge, foul odor, spreading redness or streaking).

Call our office during regular hours if:

• Your child hasn’t had a tetanus booster in more than 10 years.
• The wound doesn’t heal by 2 weeks.
• You have other questions or concerns.