Abrasions
Synopsis of Abrasions
Abrasions are superficial wounds that occur when the skin rubs or scrapes against a rough surface, damaging the outer layers (epidermis). Unlike deeper cuts, abrasions typically don’t penetrate through the skin, though they can still cause pain, redness, and minor bleeding. These wounds are common in falls, accidents, or sports injuries and are generally minor, healing within a few days to a week depending on the severity. Infection is a primary concern if dirt or debris enters the wound.
Types:
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First-degree abrasions: Affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis); usually mild redness and slight discomfort.
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Second-degree abrasions: Involve the epidermis and part of the dermis (second skin layer); may cause bleeding and more pain.
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Third-degree abrasions: Rare in simple scrapes but could occur in severe trauma; damage extends deeper into skin layers.
Common Causes:
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Falls on rough surfaces: Such as pavement, gravel, or concrete.
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Sports injuries: Contact sports or activities like cycling, running, or skating.
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Accidental scraping: Brushing against rough walls, floors, or surfaces.
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Occupational hazards: Construction or manual labor environments increase the likelihood of abrasions.
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Motor vehicle or bike accidents: Often lead to "road rash," a more severe form of abrasion.
More Severe Causes (Complications):
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Infection: Dirt or bacteria entering the wound can lead to redness, swelling, pus, and increased pain.
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Delayed healing: If the wound is large, improperly cleaned, or in high-friction areas like joints.
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Scarring: More likely with second-degree abrasions or if infections develop.
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Tetanus risk: From contaminated wounds if vaccination is outdated.
When to See a Doctor:
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If the abrasion is large, deep, or involves sensitive areas (face, joints, genitals).
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Signs of infection: increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or worsening pain.
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If embedded debris can’t be removed.
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Tetanus vaccination is outdated (no booster within the last 5–10 years).
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If healing does not progress within a week or worsens.
Natural remedies for Abrasions
Gentle Cleaning: Rinse the abrasion under cool, running water to remove dirt and debris. Mild soap can be used, but avoid scrubbing the wound harshly to prevent irritation.
Antiseptic Application: Applying an antiseptic like diluted hydrogen peroxide or iodine reduces infection risk. Apply lightly after cleaning, before bandaging.
Honey Dressing: Raw honey has natural antibacterial and healing properties. A thin layer applied under a bandage can support healing and prevent infection.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera soothes inflammation and promotes skin regeneration. Apply a thin layer to the abrasion 2–3 times daily.
Coconut Oil: Provides a natural barrier, keeps the wound moisturized, and contains mild antimicrobial properties. Apply gently to the area after cleaning.
Turmeric Paste: Turmeric’s curcumin offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Mix turmeric with water or coconut oil and apply lightly as a paste.
Tea Tree Oil (Diluted): Tea tree oil has potent antimicrobial properties. Dilute with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and apply sparingly to avoid irritation.
Chamomile Compress: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on skin. Steep chamomile tea, let cool, and use a clean cloth to apply as a compress.
Keep Wound Moist and Covered: Using petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointments prevents drying and promotes faster healing. Cover with a sterile bandage and change daily.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Abrasions
aloe vera
beeswax
bisabolol
chamomile
turmeric
endo-peptidase
glycerin
goldenseal
gotu kola
hyaluronic acid
l-proline
lavender
licorice root
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
mucin
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
plantain
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
protease
purified silver
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zinc
bentonite
chickweed
xanthium (cockleburs)
shen-chu
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
paederia foetida
boxthorne
yarrow
moss
myrrh
siler root
fern
oriental arborvitae
assam indigo
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
paw paw
white oak
melaleuca alternifolia
denatured alcohol
geranium
arnica
impatiens
sea salt
Ash
Avens
Abies alba
Aloe Polysaccharide
Aerva Lanta
Aquilegia viridiflora
Argan tree
Agmisode
Asiaticoside
Aloe Polysaccharide
acacia
Agave
Agrimony
Antirrhinum majus
Arnica
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Arnica (unspecified)
Arum Lily
Asoka Tree
Alchemilla
Ajuga
Aloe vera
Almond Oil
Amber resin
Arisaema cum bile
Annatto Oil
Agave (mixed)
Aquilegia formosa
Allantoin
Anacard Or
Abutua
Alkanet
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
African Basil
Alchornea floribunda
Aresaema (unspecified)
Aloe
Alum
Asian Plantain
Abuta
Alkanna
Aloe macroclada
American Bittersweet
Ash (unspecified)
Atlantic Cedar
Bee Propolis
Blend (Combination)
Bentonite
Beeswax
benzyl alcohol
Bergenia Pacumbis
Bai Ji
Blackthorn
botanical (unspecified)
Buckthorn Plantain
Benzalkonium chloride
Black-Eyed Susan
Balsam
Bromelain
Blackbrush
Butea monosperma
Balsam Poplar
Barleria
Beech
Blackboard tree
Brazillian peppertree
Bisabolol
Butter
Bee hive
Bloodroot
Benzoin
Buckhorn Plantain
Bindweed
Birch (unspecified)
Balsam (unspecified)
Banyan
Bletilla
Boxwood
Black Alder
Benzoin siam
Balsam of Peru
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Blend (combination)
blend (herb/botanical)
Black root
Beeswax
Boerhavia diffusa
Calochortus
Comfrey
Centella triterpenes
Calendula
Copaiba balsam
Calotropis gigantea
Colloidal Silver
Chickweed
Common Plantain
Capillary Artemisia
Cinquefoil
Cattail
Copolymer
Cocoa Butter
Cymbidium goeringii
Curcuma aromatica
Cornflower
Commiphora gileadensis
Cabbage Rose
California Goldenrod
Chokecherry
Cowherb
Curcuma amada
Clivers
Castor
Centella asiatica
Collagen (unspecified)
Celandine
Centipeda
Centipeda minima
Clerodendron
Clown's Mustard Plant
Cottonseed
Crinum
Carbon
Chymotrypsin
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Cosmos
Canaigre tanates
Chlorine
Castile Soap
Cynodon dactylon
Cotton
Cocklebur
Cherokee Rose
Chinese Ash
Cynanchum
Casearia sylvestris
Catlaw Buttercup
Colostrum protein
Didymocarpus
Dragon's Blood (unspecified)
Dragon's Blood
Dianthrone
Davilla rugosa
Denatured alcohol
Epidermal Growth Factor
Eastern Red Cedar
Enzyme (unspecified)
Erigeron
Elephant Vine
Erodium cicutarium
English Elm
English Oak
Epidermal Growth Factor
Eucalyptus
English Plantain
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Euphorbia (unspecified)
Flueggea?suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
fibroblast growth factors
Filler
Fatty alcohol
Ficin
Ficin
fibroblast growth factors
Fern-leaf yarrow
Five-Leaf Cassia
Fibrinase
fibroblast growth factor
Fir (unspecified)
Genipap
Gnaphalium
Glycerol polymers
Gambir
Growth factors
Genipa americana
Glossy Privet
Geranium
Gugambilla
Great Plantain
Golden Shower Tree
Glycerite
Hu Zhang
Honey Bee
Humboldt Lily
Hardwood Tree (unspecified)
Honey
Heal-All
Hydrocolloid
Humectant
Henna
Hyaluronic acid
Hydrogen peroxide
Hyaluronic Acid
Huang Hua (unspecified)
Indian Mustard
Iridoid glycosides
Impatiens (unspecified)
Isopropylmyristate
Indian Redwood
Immortelle
Illite
Isopropanol
Ilex asprella
Jojoba Oil
Japanese camphor
Jessica's Sticktight
Kigelia africana
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Lacquertree
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
L-Cystine
Levant Cotton
Lichen Oil
Lac insect
Lophira lanceolata
Latex
Lodhtree
lac resin
Lanolin
Lanolin
Lygodium
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Little ironweed
Lubricant
Maritime Dock
Mountain horopito
Mineral ascorbate (unspecified)
Mucins
Monterey Pine
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Mucin
Mahonia (unspecified)
Milkweed (unspecified)
Microcrystalline wax
Morning Glory
Marigold (unspecified)
Marking Nut Tree
Macaranga indica
Nonionic surfactant (unspecified)
Nut Grass
Nimbidin
Oak
Oil (unspecified)
Oriental arborvitae
Oxystelma
Oak Bark
Oleoresin (unspecified)
Propolis
Plantain (unspecified)
Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)
Purple Tephrosia
Proline
Papain
Peroxide Hcl
Peptidase
Povidone
Protease
Plantago
Pussy Ears
Pellitory-of-the-wall
Panthenol
Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)
Phenol (unspecified)
Phosphorus oxide
Plumbago zeylanica
phenol
Petroleum
plant (unspecified)
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Papayotin
Plant wax (unspecified)
Platelet derived growth factor
Povidone
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Pine (unspecified)
Polyvinyl alcohol
Plantain (common or English)
Papain
Prolase
Pyrophyllite clay
Red root (unspecified)
Red Alder
Resin (unspecified)
Red Soapwort
Red Spiderling
Rosa californica
Rhus glabra
Schizonepeta
Spotted Geranium
Sanicle
Silver nitrate
Sesbania
Spruce (unspecified)
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Sausage Tree
Silverweed
Sphaerotrichia
Shikonin
Self-Heal
Smooth Alder
Serrapeptase
Sensitive Plant
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Sericin
Salt (sea)
Sanguisorba
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sucrose
Salicylic Acid
Silver
Sesbania (unspecified)
Siberian Elm
Stinging Nettle
Sweet Violet
Stellaria dichotoma
Sapindus mukorossi
Stereospermum
Silver
Sodium chloride
serine proteinase
Styrax balsam
Salt (unspecified)
Silver (usp)
Smoketree
Sodium choleate
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tannin (unspecified)
Tamarix gallica
Transforming growth factor alpha
Tissue (unspecified)
Trumpet Vine
Tannins (mixed)
Thymus
Tree Turmeric
Tridax
Tropical Almond
Tolu Balsam
Transforming growth factor beta
Thymol
Transforming growth factor
Trichoderma viride
Thymus
Tannin
Type-A Polymers
Tea Oil Plant
Tannates
Type A polymers
Tallow
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Thuja plicata
Trailing Arbutus
Urea
Ulmus davidiana
Vitex negundo
Vitamin C (not specified)
Vitamin C (mixed ascorbates)
Vietnamese sophora
Violet (unspecified)
Wax (unspecified)
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
White Oak
Wax
Western Buttercup
White Mustard
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa
Yarrow