Pocket tips on how to take care of a scratch wound without leaving a scar

What is a skin abrasion?

When your skin is rubbed directly against rough, sharp surfaces causing open wounds in the skin known as abrasions. With these wounds will not cause much bleeding but can cause burning pain. However, scratches are usually not as serious as cuts/incisions, which can be treated at home.

Scratched skin- expression

Skin abrasions can range from mild to severe. Symptoms will depend on the sign of the scratch:

  • Grade 1: A new scratch only damages the surface of the epidermis, commonly known as peeling/abrasion of the skin. This is very common and does not cause bleeding.
  • 2nd degree abrasions: can lead to damage to the epidermis and dermis, which will cause slight bleeding.
  • Grade 3: Abraded skin is subjected to friction and affects the tissue layer below the dermis. Scratches at this level can bleed heavily and require immediate medical attention.

When to see a doctor?

You need to see your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following signs:

  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop even when you stop bleeding
  • Bleeding in excessive amounts 
  • Accident/severe trauma causing open wounds on the skin

With the above cases, you need to see a doctor immediately to conduct disinfection to prevent infection from occurring. Because if the infection is not treated in time, it can spread and lead to a worse health condition.

When you visit the doctor, you will be cleaned, cleaned and bandaged. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics for you to take orally/topical to treat and prevent this condition. In severe cases, you may need surgery to remove the skin and surrounding area and/or foreign bodies if deeply embedded.

Care for scratch wounds

The initial first aid step will also be one of the very important steps, playing a decisive role in the drying time of the wound, the possibility of infection. When giving first aid to an injured patient, pay attention to the following steps:

Step 1: Remove dirt and foreign objects

Remove small foreign bodies and then clean the wound by: bringing the wound, gently flushing directly under clean running water, when no antiseptic can be found. Take off/remove clothing around the injured area to avoid friction.

If the foreign body is pinned too deep or large, the foreign body has many rust spots or you have a large area of ​​skin abrasion. You need to quickly give first aid and take the patient to the nearest medical station. Do not arbitrarily, intentionally remove large foreign bodies from the wound, this will inadvertently cause a lot of blood loss and make the patient more painful.

Step 2: Stop the bleeding 

Carry out hemostasis of the wound if necessary. For patients with diabetes, using special drugs, elderly people, etc., their autologous hemostasis will be much worse than normal people. Pay attention to move patients with symptoms of difficulty in stopping bleeding to the nearest medical station to be cared for and treated by a doctor.

Step 3: What to apply to the scratched wound to dry quickly?

Bandage and clean the scratch, change the bandage daily with an antiseptic to allow the wound to dry quickly. It must be further noted that it is not recommended to clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide because this is a strong antiseptic, which can lead to the gradual death of young tissues. You should use an appropriate antiseptic or as directed by your doctor.

How to take care of a scratch wound that heals quickly at home

  • Use cream/medicine 

Use creams prescribed by your doctor. There will usually be 2 creams applied to the skin for 2 different stages, including: applying  a quick-drying medicine to the wound and when the wound is dry, a cream will be used to prevent scarring from forming.

  • Use aloe vera / aloe

Using aloe vera gel to apply to the wound is a way to quickly heal minor scratches on the  skin, thanks to its ability to eliminate certain types of bacteria and fungi. Aloe vera will also help protect and nourish healthy tissues from further damage.

The gel from the inside of aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that are very effective in first aid and healing of minor open wounds when on the skin and will help soothe sunburned skin.

  • Use salt water

Salt water has many uses, in which can  quickly dry open wounds  and gently disinfect the wound with physiological saline is the way suggested by the doctor.

In addition, you can use: apple cider vinegar, honey, cajeput essential oil and mint in the process of taking care of scratches, supporting fast healing.

Care for wounds and scratches heal quickly, you should add foods rich in vitamins C, A, E, zinc, protein and fat… to make up for lost energy and strengthen the body’s resistance. .

At the same time, you should limit foods: sticky rice, chicken, seafood, water spinach, beef … because it will cause itching, dark scars and keloid scars that cause loss of aesthetics.

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