How to Treat a Severe Abrasion

An abrasion is an injury that is generally caused by friction. Abrasions create damage to the outer layers of the skin. A severe abrasion, however, involves the lower layers of skin as well, and can be extraordinarily painful. Here are the treatment options for a severe abrasion.

Things You'll Need

• First aid kit
• Access to medical care

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Instructions

• 1

  Stop the bleeding. While many abrasions don't cause a great deal of bleeding, severe abrasions often do. To stop the bleeding, apply a sterile cloth, towel or bandage to the area and apply steady, even pressure for 5 to 10 minutes. Check to see if the bleeding has subsided; if it hasn't, apply pressure until it does.

• 2

  Remove any foreign matter. Sometimes the injured area becomes contaminated with dirt, rocks, pieces of glass or other harmful foreign matter. Remove these materials from the wound carefully.

• 3

  Wash the abrasion with cool, sterile water. Wash the area down thoroughly to further remove any contaminants, dirt and unseen foreign matter.

• 4

  Clean the abrasion with soap and water. Do so carefully, swabbing at the area with a clean towel and plenty of soap.

• 5

  Rinse the abrasion clean of soap and dry it thoroughly with a sterile cloth or towel.

• 6

  Liberally apply antibiotic ointment to the wounded area.

• 7

  Cover the wound with a sterile bandage and secure it loosely over the top of the abrasion.

• 8

  Seek additional medical attention, especially if there are any signs of an infection developing, including increasing pain, swelling, redness or fever.