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Abrasions ByAdam J. Singer, MD, Stony Brook University, Renaissance School of Medicine Reviewed ByDiane M. Birnbaumer, MD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Reviewed/Revised Modified May 2025 v14459366View Patient Education Abrasions are skin scrapes that may involve epidermis or part or all of the dermis. These may be asymptomatic or cause pain and sometimes bleeding. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is wound care. Abrasions are evaluated, cleansed, and debrided similarly to lacerations. They are harder to anesthetize, however, which is particularly problematic when large amounts of dirt, stones, or glass are embedded as is frequently the case, particularly with deep, scraping wounds; a regional nerve block or procedural sedation may be needed. Treatment of AbrasionsCleansing Antibiotics After thoroughly removing all debris from abrasions (vigorous scrubbing and irrigation may be needed), antibiotic ointment (eg, bacitracin, bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin) and a nonadherent gauze dressing that is impermeable to bacteria can be applied. After thoroughly removing all debris from abrasions (vigorous scrubbing and irrigation may be needed), antibiotic ointment (eg, bacitracin, bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin) and a nonadherent gauze dressing that is impermeable to bacteria can be applied. Other commercial wound dressings may be used; the goals are to keep the wound from drying out, because drying interferes with re-epithelialization, and to keep the dressing from adhering. Close observation and follow-up are necessary if defects are large, to check for purulent discharge (indicating infection) or lack of wound healing. Drugs Mentioned In This Article
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