Abrasion (medicine)
A partial thickness wound from skin damage.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
An abrasion is a skin wound that goes only partway through the skin’s thickness. It can be shallow, affecting just the outer layer (epidermis), or deeper, reaching into the dermis. Bleeding is usually slight. When the injury is more severe and strips away all skin layers, it’s called an avulsion.
These injuries often happen when bare skin rubs or grinds against a rough surface, scraping off the top skin layers.
**By degree** - First-degree: damage only to the epidermis. - Second-degree: involves both epidermis and dermis; may bleed a little. - Third-degree: damages the subcutaneous layer and skin; often called an avulsion.
**Treatment** Clean the wound and remove any debris. Apply a topical antibiotic (like neomycin or bacitracin) to prevent infection and keep the area moist. Covering the wound helps it stay moist, which supports healing. If painful, a topical analgesic (such as lidocaine or benzocaine) can be used; for large abrasions, a systemic pain reliever may be needed. Keep abraded skin out of the sun to avoid permanent darkening.
**Healing** The healing process for an abrasion on the palm from sliding on concrete is shown in the gallery below.
**See also** Chafing (skin), List of cutaneous conditions, Contusion, Laceration
- type
- wound
- classification
- partial thickness wound
- common_cause
- exposed skin contacting a rough surface
- degrees
- first-degree (epidermis), second-degree (epidermis and dermis), third-degree (subcutaneous layer, also called avulsion)
- treatment
- cleaning, topical antibiotic, dressing, topical or systemic analgesic
- healing_note
- moist environment conducive for healing; avoid sun exposure to prevent hyperpigmentation
Lore & Background
Abrasions are categorized by degree. A first-degree abrasion involves only epidermal injury. A second-degree abrasion involves the epidermis and dermis and may bleed slightly. A third-degree abrasion involves damage to the subcutaneous layer and is often called an avulsion. Mild abrasions, also known as grazes or scrapes, do not scar or bleed because the dermis is left intact, but deep abrasions that disrupt normal dermal structures may lead to scar tissue formation.
Reader's Guide
Abrasions are common injuries resulting from moving contact with a rough surface, such as sliding on concrete. Treatment involves cleaning the wound, removing debris, and applying a topical antibiotic like neomycin or bacitracin to prevent infection and keep the wound moist. Dressing the wound helps maintain a moist environment for healing. For pain, a topical analgesic such as lidocaine or benzocaine can be used, though large abrasions may require a systemic analgesic. Exposing abraded skin to the sun should be avoided, as permanent hyperpigmentation can develop. The healing process is illustrated in the gallery showing an abrasion on the palm caused by sliding on concrete.
Did You Know?
- A first-degree abrasion involves only the epidermis.
- A third-degree abrasion is often called an avulsion.
- Mild abrasions do not scar or bleed because the dermis is left intact.
- Topical antibiotics such as neomycin or bacitracin are applied to prevent infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Abrasion (medicine) in the Surgery & Trauma universe?
An abrasion is a partial-thickness wound where the skin is scraped or ground down but not fully severed. It sits on the spectrum between a surface scratch and a full-thickness avulsion, meaning the injury penetrates only partway through the skin's layers.
What are the three degree-levels of Abrasion and how do they differ?
First-degree affects only the epidermis, second-degree extends into the dermis with mild bleeding, and third-degree reaches the subcutaneous layer—sometimes reclassified as an avulsion because all skin layers are stripped away.
How does an Abrasion injury typically come to be?
It most commonly occurs when bare, exposed skin is rubbed or ground against a rough surface, such as pavement or gravel, which mechanically scrapes off the upper skin layers.
What is the standard treatment protocol for an Abrasion?
Management involves thorough cleaning of the wound, applying a topical antibiotic, covering it with a dressing, and administering a topical or systemic analgesic for pain control.
What healing tips and aftercare rules apply to an Abrasion?
A moist wound environment promotes faster re-epithelialization, and the healing area should be shielded from sun exposure to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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