Description:
An abrasion is a scrape. It's caused by a rubbing injury that strips off the outer layers of skin. Large and deep abrasions are more serious. (If the injury changes shape significantly when pulling on the skin, or it fat tissue is seen, this is NOT an abrasion -- it's a full-thickness avulsion, a complete loss of all layers of the skin.)

Concerns:
Any deep abrasion will leave some scar tissue behind. On the face, scars are unsightly. Over joints, a bad scar may prevent full motion. Proper treatment will minimize the scar, making it less noticeable and reducing stiffness. An abrasion is often contaminated with dirt, gravel, and other foreign material. Infection is a risk, especially with deep, crushed, or dirty abrasions. In some severe abrasions, the skin will die -- leaving the equivalent of a third-degree burn.

An abrasion should hold its shape when the skin is moved or stretched. If any part of the wound gapes or changes shape, this is a more serious injury.

See the doctor if:
    there is mushy tissue exposed that changes shape easily
    the scrape is extremely dirty or won't come clean
    the scrape is very large
    the scrape is on a critical area: face, genitals, hands

After the initial washing, scrub with Betadine, Bactine, or another antiseptic on a gauze pad. If you can't get the abrasion clean, go see the doctor.

Bandage the abrasion. Usually, a non-stick pad, then gauze, then a kling wrap protects a larger scrape well. A self-adhesive wrap, such as Coban, helps hold everything in place. The wrap should be wide enough, and snug enough, that it doesn't slip around. But it shouldn't be "tight." If it feels uncomfortable, loosen it up.

Watch for:
See the doctor if there is redness around the wound, red streaks, swelling, drainage, fever, tender bumps in the groin or armpit upsteam from the wound, or an unexplained increase in pain or tenderness. See section on infection.