Large skin abrasion wound

Superficial skin layers are grazed and, at the same time, tiny blood vessels, which lie below the top skin layer, are injured. Punctiform bleeding and weeping secretions are the result.

Large skin abrasion wounds are extremely painful as lots of nerve endings are exposed. If germs penetrate the wound and soil it, wound healing is hindered.

In general, skin abrasion wounds heal relatively quickly and leave no scars, as the layers of skin below the top skin layer remain intact.

In the case of small and only slightly soiled injuries, it is sufficient when the fresh wound is cleaned under running tap water, disinfected and then covered with a (atraumatic) plaster that does not stick to it.

In the case of more severely soiled injuries the wound, however, should be cleansed more thoroughly.

Depending on the location and size of the wound, there are various means of doing this. For injuries to the hand, fingers or foot, partial baths, for example, with antiseptic solutions have proved their worth. For skin abrasion wounds to the knee, elbow or trunk, it is recommended to carefully dab the wound with wet gauze dressings or linen. Once you have carefully dried the wound, you can then disinfect it.

Weeping skin abrasion wounds tend to get stuck together with normal, traditional wound dressings. Dressing material and plasters, which do not stick, should therefore preferably be used. Such (atraumatic) wound dressings should, if possible, be changed daily.

Even more suitable for first aid are modern wound dressings, which, owing to their hydroactive properties, create and maintain a moist wound environment. They keep skin abrasion wounds moist and actively support the healing process. In this case, the plaster does not need to be changed every day. You save time and avoid pain.

In the event of extensive (palm-sized) tissue defects and extremely soiled skin abrasion wounds, you should go and see a physician, who will remove dirt particles or foreign bodies and then disinfect the wound.