Is your skin abraded? (Abrasion) Let's talk about this!

You and your child may have had minor scrapes and abrasions at some point, right? While running around, playing, doing some work, or just walking down the street, if you slip and fall, you can get a scrape on your skin. This is very common. So today, let's talk about these skin abrasions, or `(Abrasion)`.

What is an abrasion? Simply put...

Simply put, an abrasion is when the top layer of your skin (the epidermis) rubs against something. It's like sandpaper removing paint from a board. Just as the rough surface of the sandpaper rubs against the board and the paint peels off, when your skin rubs against something rough, the top layer of your skin peels off.

This type of scratch can cause some bleeding and may also be a little painful . Most of the time, these are accidental injuries. These scratches only affect the top layers of the skin, meaning they don't go deep into the skin.

Are there types of scratches?

Yes, we can mainly talk about three types of scratches:

1. Linear abrasion: This is what we usually call an "abrasion". It's like a line of skin peeling off when something sharp or sharp hits your skin. Imagine you're walking under a bush and your skin gets scratched by a thorn.

2. Grazed abrasion: This is the most common type of abrasion that we see, spread over a larger area. It's like when you scrape your knee against the ground. A road rash is also caused by falling off a bike and getting scraped on a tarmac road. This is where a large area of ​​skin is damaged by rubbing against a rough surface.

3. Patterned abrasion: This occurs when an object hits the skin with force, causing it to scratch in a pattern or shape. A good example is the scratches that form when a cat scratches its paws. The scratches are in the shape of the cat's claws.

Are these scratches dangerous? A question everyone has!

Most of the time, a scratch is not a serious injury . Because, as I said before, it only damages the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). The deeper layers are not affected.

However, the main risk here is infection . Even a small scratch, if not cleaned and cared for properly, can lead to infection and problems. That's why it's important to be careful about it.

What is the difference between a scratch and a laceration?

An abrasion and a laceration are both types of wounds. They are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue.

• An abrasion is when a portion of the skin is removed.
• In a laceration , the skin does not come off, but instead is torn and separated. This is what we usually call a "cut".

Do you understand the difference? In one case, the skin peels off, in the other, the skin cracks.

How common are scratches?

These are very common. In fact, we have all faced minor scrapes at some point in our lives. This is a very common accident, especially among young children . It is normal for them to get these minor scrapes while they are running around, playing, and exploring new things.

What are the symptoms we feel and see when we scratch?

When you get a scratch, you may experience things like:

• Pain in the groin: The pain may feel like a slight burning, stinging, or stabbing sensation.
• Bleeding from the vagina: There may be a little bleeding. Most of the time, it just stops.
• Skin discoloration: The skin may appear slightly discolored at the site of the scratch.
• Drainage: Sometimes a pinkish or watery fluid may come out of the wound.

What does the skin look like when it's scratched?

Because the skin peels off when you scratch, the injured area may look like this:

• It may appear slightly lighter than your normal skin tone.
• The area around the wound may be red due to blood .
• It may look like spots or dots .
• It can be seen as slightly shiny and moist .
• Sometimes the skin may appear to be hanging off, or the skin may be curled up in one place and remain over the wound. Don't worry, the skin will fall off on its own as the wound heals.

Where on the body do scratches most often occur?

Most often, abrasions occur on bony areas of the body. For example, on the knees and elbows . However, abrasions can occur anywhere on the skin.

Not only that, scratches can also occur inside the eye. That is called `(Corneal abrasion)`. Also, scratches can occur inside the mouth and on the teeth due to rubbing, that is called `(Dental abrasion)`. But these are a bit special cases.

Why do we get these scratches? What are the causes?

The main cause of scratches is friction . This is when your skin rubs against a rough, hard, or uneven surface, object, or material.

Look at these examples:

• When a stone falls on rough ground with gravel and soil.
• When you slide along the ground while playing a game like cricket (`(Sliding into home plate)`).
• When you fall off a bicycle or motorcycle and get scratched on the asphalt (this is also called ``road rash'').
• If the skin is rubbed on a carpet, cement floor, or other rough surface (`(Carpet burn)`).

What other problems (complications) can occur from a scratch?

As I mentioned before, the most common and dangerous complication that can occur from a scratch is infection .

If the wound becomes infected, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Increasing pain.
• Swelling of the wound.
• Pus (a yellow, foul-smelling fluid) coming from the wound.
• The wound is not healing .
• Fever .

A scratch occurs when the skin is rubbed against something, and dirt, dust, and other things from the surrounding environment can enter the wound. So, if the wound is not cleaned properly, the bacteria in this dirt can cause the wound to fester, which means it can become infected.

If you notice any of these signs of infection, you should definitely see a doctor. Infections can become serious if not treated properly.

How do you diagnose a bruise? Do you need a doctor?

Most minor scrapes do not require a diagnosis from a doctor, as they are minor injuries that can be treated at home. However, if the scrape is a major injury from a major accident, it may require medical attention.

A doctor diagnoses a bruise by looking at the wound and examining it. They will look specifically for these things:

• What type of scratch is it?
• What is the size and shape of the wound?
• Where is it located on the body?
• How deep is the wound? (How deep does it go under the skin?)
• Are there any dirt or stones inside the wound?

The doctor will also ask you about your health and past medical conditions. You may also be asked questions such as how and when the injury occurred, whether it hurts, and where it occurred. This information will help the doctor determine the most appropriate treatment for you.

How to treat a scrape? Things you can do at home

The best treatment for a scrape is proper wound care . You can do this at home. Here's how:

1. Wash the wound area with soap and water: Wash the area thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris from around the wound. Do not rub too hard.

2. Remove small visible debris: If there are small stones, sand, etc., remove them with clean tweezers. But be very careful! If there are large pieces of debris, such as many stones, glass fragments, etc. inside the wound, do not try to remove them yourself. Go to the nearest emergency room ( ETU ) or hospital immediately.

3. Once you're done washing, pat dry with a clean cloth: Use a towel or clean cloth to gently pat the area around the wound dry.

4. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment: Apply an antiseptic cream that you can buy at the pharmacy to prevent germs from entering the wound.

5. Cover the wound with a plaster or bandage: This will prevent further dirt from entering the wound and protect the wound. However, if it is a very small scratch, such as a line less than two inches long, it may be okay to leave it without a plaster.

6. Clean the wound daily and apply a new plaster until it heals: It is important to check the wound every day, clean it, and apply a new bandage or plaster.

If you have a large cut, or if you have a cut along with other injuries, go to an emergency room immediately, or call 911. Larger cuts may require stitches.

If you have a scratch or bite from an animal, a doctor may give you a tetanus shot or antibiotics. This is to reduce the risk of infection. If you have been bitten by an animal, it is best to see a doctor within 24 hours.

While the wound is healing, don't pick at it, dig into it, or remove the skin on it . It's normal to feel like doing that, but doing so will delay the healing of the wound, may cause re-injury, and may allow bacteria on your hands to enter the wound and cause infection.

What usually happens when there is a scratch?

Scrapes are often small, quick-healing wounds . A small scrape, less than two inches long, may heal without leaving a scar. However, larger scrapes may leave a scar or mark on the skin after the wound has healed.

Although scratches are usually not serious, remember that even a small scratch can become infected if the wound is not treated properly. A doctor can treat larger scratches, and they can also provide treatment to prevent infection.

How long does it take for a scratch to heal?

Most often, small scratches (less than two inches) heal within a week . A larger scratch may take two weeks or longer to heal.

Can we prevent scratches?

Scratches are often accidental injuries. So while it's difficult to prevent them completely, there are things we can do to reduce the risk:

• Be aware of your surroundings: Be especially careful around animals, sharp surfaces, and rough objects.
• Wear protective gear and clothing when playing sports, engaging in other activities, or doing certain tasks. (e.g., knee pads, elbow pads, gloves)
• Avoid dangerous areas such as sharp objects, slippery, uneven surfaces.
• Listen to your body: If you're tired, rest. You're more likely to have accidents when you're tired.
• Remove obstacles that can trip you over at home, at work, and in frequently used areas (e.g., wires lying on the floor, items left out of order).

When should you see a doctor?

In such a case, definitely seek medical advice:

• If there are signs that the wound is infected (pain, pus, swelling, redness). If you have a fever, go to the hospital immediately.
• A scratch that occurs after a collision with an animal (bite, scratch).
• If there are things like dirt, dust, glass shards, or pebbles stuck inside the wound.
• If there are other injuries (such as cuts) along with the scratch, or if the scratch has spread over a large area of ​​the body .
• If the wound doesn't heal after about a week.

Important questions to ask when seeing a doctor

If you go to see a doctor about a scrape, it's a good idea to ask these questions:

• What kind of scratch do I have?
• How should I care for this wound at home?
• Should I keep the wound covered all the time?
• What kind of antibiotic ointment do you recommend?
• What can I do to prevent scarring?
• What is my risk of getting an infection from this wound?

Finally, things to remember

Okay, so we've talked a lot about abrasions. Remember, abrasions are very common, especially among naughty little ones.

• Most minor scratches can be treated at home with proper care.
• The most important thing is to keep the wound clean. This will help prevent germs from entering.
• If the scratch is large, deep, has a lot of dirt, was caused by an animal, or shows signs of infection, you should definitely see a doctor.

Wishing you and your family good health!

` Abrasion, Scrape, Skin, Infection, First Aid, Children