Cuts and
Abrasions
Overview
The skin is our
contact with our environment, so it’s frequently subject to
injuries including minor cuts and abrasions. Serious trauma to
the skin can result in damage to nerves, blood vessels, tendons,
bones, and organs which may require immediate medical attention.
This advice pertains only to injuries that can be managed safely
with self-care.
Signs and Symptoms
-
Symptoms vary depending upon the nature, location, and
severity of the injury. Minor cuts and abrasions usually
heal within 2 weeks.
Self-Care Measures
-
Clean your wound thoroughly with mild soap and lots of
water, especially for ground-in dirt as is common with “road
burns.” Continue to clean it with soap and water 1 to 2
times a day—more often if necessary.
-
OTC antiseptic solutions or antibacterial soaps are
acceptable for cleaning the skin around the wound.
-
Apply an OTC antibacterial ointment to your wound 1 to 2
times a day.
-
Keep your wound covered with clean gauze or an adhesive
bandage during waking hours. You can leave it uncovered
while you sleep if it isn’t oozing or painful.
-
Don’t soak your wound when bathing. Don’t swim until it’s
healed. Brief contact with water from the shower is okay.
Red Flags
Check with the nurse
if there is..
-
A
wound that penetrates beneath the visible surface of the
skin (especially if it has been contaminated with dirt,
rust, etc.), and you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last
five years or don’t remember when you got your last one.
-
A
gaping wound where the edges of your skin don’t touch (or
almost touch) at the wound site or where underlying fat,
tendons, bones, etc. are visible.
-
Numbness at the wound site or numbness in another part of
your body (e.g., a cut near your elbow that results in
numbness in your forearm or fingers).
-
Bleeding that can’t be stopped with direct pressure on the
wound or any wound that spurts blood.
-
Weakness or loss of function in the area of the wound (e.g.,
inability to extend your fingers after a cut on your hand or
wrist).
-
A
wound on your face or other area where optimal healing is
desired for cosmetic reasons.
-
Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.5 degrees F (38
degrees C) or higher; drainage; increased redness, swelling,
or pain; or red streaks extending from the wound.
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