|
 Abrasion on the palm of a right hand, shortly after falling  Abrasions on elbow and lower arm. The elbow wound will produce a permanent scar. In dermatology, an abrasion is a wound caused by superficial damage to the skin, no deeper than the epidermis. It is less severe than a laceration, and bleeding, if present, is minimal. Mild abrasions, also known as grazes or scrapes, do not scar or bleed, but deep abrasions may lead to the formation of scar tissue. A more traumatic abrasion that removes all layers of skin is called an avulsion. Abrasion injuries most commonly occur when exposed skin comes into moving contact with a rough surface, causing a grinding or rubbing away of the upper layers of the epidermis.
By degree - A first-degree abrasion involves only epidermal injury.
- A second-degree abrasion involves the epidermis as well as the dermis and may bleed slightly.
- A third-degree abrasion involves damage to the subcutaneous layer and the skin and is often called an avulsion.
Treatment The abrasion should be cleaned and any debris removed. A topical antibiotic (such as Neosporin or bacitracin) should be applied to prevent infection and to keep the wound moist.[1] Dressing the wound is optional[1] but helps to keep the wound from drying out which interferes with healing.[2] If the abrasion is painful, a topical analgesic (such as lidocaine or benzocaine) can be applied, but for large abrasions a systemic analgesic may be necessary.[1] Avoid exposing abraded skin to the sun as permanent hyperpigmentation can develop. Healing The gallery below shows the healing process for an abrasion on the palm caused by sliding on concrete. <gallery> Image:Hand Abrasion - 32 minutes after injury.JPG|32 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 16 hours 45 minutes after injury.JPG|16 hours 45 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 1 day 19 hours 32 minutes after injury.JPG|1 day 19 hours 32 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 2 days 22 hours 12 minutes after injury.JPG|2 days 22 hours 12 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 12 days 23 hours 24 minutes after injury.JPG|12 days 23 hours 24 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 13 days 15 hours 30 minutes after injury.JPG|13 days 15 hours 30 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 17 days 11 hours 30 minutes after injury.JPG|17 days 11 hours 30 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 18 days 11 hours 43 minutes after injury.JPG|18 days 11 hours 43 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 21 days 18 hours 21 minutes after injury.JPG|21 days 18 hours 21 minutes after injury Image:Hand Abrasion - 30 days 4 hours 43 minutes after injury.JPG|30 days 4 hours 43 minutes after injury </gallery> See also References bs:Oguljotina de:Sch rfwunde eo:Abrazio fr:Abrasion (m decine) gl:Abrasi n hr:Abrazija ko e nl:Schaafwond ja: pl:Otarcie simple:Abrasion sl:Odrgnina sr: sv:Skrubbs r tl:Gasgas
| 
Encyclopedia
top
