Cuts and scrapes are quite common and can happen to anyone at any time. By cuts, we mean damage to the skin in the form of a sharp line, which can either affect the upper layers of the skin or can go deep under the skin, sometimes close enough to the muscle tissue. On the other hand, scrapes involve superficial skin damage, typically due to an accidental rub against a hard or rough surface.
Identifying these skin injuries is important so you can do first aid for cuts and scrapes and prevent a possible infection.
What Causes Cuts and Scrapes on the Skin?
Cuts often happen when you are handling a sharp object. For example, mishandling a knife while cutting veggies in the kitchen can give you a cut. Or, picking up broken pieces of glass without care. Sometimes, outdoor activities like gardening can also result in a cut.
Scrapes happen when your skin brushes against rough surfaces such as a textured concrete wall or sandpaper, or you get into incidents like falling on gravel, sliding on the football ground, etc.
While anyone can get minor cuts and scrapes, children are more prone to them as they are more active throughout their day, have less awareness, and have more delicate skin than adults.
What Are the Symptoms Associated with Cuts and Scrapes?
Cuts and scrapes are visible damage to the skin surface and come along with the following symptoms:
Pain: This is an immediate symptom after you get a cut or a scrape. It can be a sharp pain or throbbing pain, depending on the extent of the hurt.
Redness: The skin can become red due to irritated skin.
Swelling: Inflammation or swelling can also occur around the affected area.
Bleeding: There can also be mild to severe bleeding depending on how deep the injury is.
Tenderness: The affected area may feel tender when touched.
First Aid for Cuts and Scrapes: How to Treat at Home
Minor cuts and scrapes can often be treated at home without medical intervention. Here’s what you can do in case of minor injury:
1. Clean up
Wash your hands with soap and water before treating. By doing so, you will avoid the spread of germs to the injured area.
2. Stop the bleeding
If you notice bleeding that won't stop, take a clean cloth and apply pressure to the cut or scrape. Keep the pressure intact until the bleeding stops. Avoid lifting the cloth and peeking through it to see if the bleeding has stopped.
3. Wash the injury
Use cool or regular water to rinse the affected area. You can either turn on a tap and rinse the wound if it is possible or fill a mug and rinse the area over a sink or in the bathroom. This will help in removing dirt and debris that might have stuck onto the skin.
You may use mild soap to clean the surrounding areas, but skip iodine or hydrogen peroxide solution as they may further irritate the damaged skin.
4. Apply an antiseptic cream
Take a small amount of an antiseptic cream or petroleum jelly and apply a thin layer to the wound. This will keep it moist over the next few hours and prevent scarring.
5. Cover it with bandage
If the injury is just a small cut or scrape that isn’t too visible and doesn't hurt, you may leave it uncovered to heal. For others, wrap a bandage or rolled gauze over the affected area so it remains clean.
6. Change the dressing every day
You might need a few days before the wound heals completely. Until then, change the dressing regularly and see for improvement or signs of infection. If you notice an infection, visit your doctor for evaluation.
Signs of Infection
If you notice any of these signs of infection in the wound, make a quick visit to your healthcare provider:
- Increased redness and swelling
- Increased pain
- Yellow, white, or green discharge coming out of the wound
- Red streaks spreading from the wound.
- Fever
When to Visit the Doctor
Most often, it is possible to do minor cuts first aid at home. However, there are some conditions when you must not delay a doctor’s visit:
- The cut appears too deep
- The wound has debris that you couldn’t remove
- If you didn’t have a tetanus shot in the last five years
- If the scrape is due to an animal
- If you’re worried and feel the need to be checked by your doctor
In Conclusion
First aid for cuts and scrapes is a simple process. However, you must do it diligently to avoid the chances of infection. Most minor cuts and scrapes get better on their own or with simple first aid. But if you notice signs of infection, head to your doctor right away!
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Sources:
https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/small-cuts-and-scrapes
https://www.healthline.com/health/cuts-scratches#risk-factors
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/cuts-scrapes
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