Abrasions are nothing but superficial injuries to the external skin layer or the upper dermal layer (epidermis). Abrasion can occur due to rubbing with hard or sharp objects during playing, falling, or in accidents. Even the bed sores are abrasions.
Most abrasions can be healed by home remedies fast as they are not very serious skin injuries. Kids are more susceptible to injuries than adults due to their carelessness and deeply involved in playing. Among the adults it is the sports people and athletes who are more prone to get abrasions.
Wounds of Abrasion Heal Fast
If the wound is deeper, then it is not an abrasion. The bleeding will continue. It can't be hidden. It requires immediate attention as the excessive blood loss can be dangerous. Even if the blood loss is not huge the deep wound can get infected. You need to visit a doctor.
However, the abrasion is a different story altogether. Since abrasion is a minor damage to the outer layer, it generally heals on its own without doing anything. Many children fall, get bruised and get back to the play again without any concerns.
They sometimes don't even report to their parents. This is fine as long as the abrasion doesn't get infected and in most of the cases it will not get infected. So its is OK to be a kid who doesn't bother much about an abrasion.
First Steps to Deal With Abrasion
In abrasion, the skin becomes red as the blood rushes to the bruised external layer of the skin. Depending on the severity of the abrasion , the outer skin can either get damaged or can get removed by the shearing action of the rubbing.
The area around the abrasion can get irritated and you may feel mild to sever pain. The area may sometimes get swelled and you may get burning sensation and itching. In most cases of abrasion, you can clean the area with water and dab it dry with paper tissues as a first aid.
It is important that the affected skin dries out over a period of time and gets replaced by a new skin. In order to achieve that keep the abrasion area open.
Do not dress it up. If you dress it up, the damaged skin will not get opportunity to get removed and will reunite with the existing and new skin to make a permanent uneven skin. Open abrasion wound always heals faster and skin gets back to normal as before. So be careful. Don't dress the abrasion area.
You cover the are then cover with non adhesive dressing. Best is to apply a thick layer of WCS powder If the wound is deeper than it is not abrasion, visit a doctor.
Home Remedies for Abrasion
Cleaning the affected area with an antiseptic should be the first obvious thing to do. Do that and then use the following home remedies. You can use Apple Cider Vinegar or any other vinegar to cleanse the abrasion area. Dip a cotton ball in the vinegar and dab it on the area to clean it.
Aloe Vera - Apply aloe Vera gel on the affected area. If you have the Aloe Vera plant at home then great, otherwise use any Aloe Vera gel that is accessible. Fresh Aloe Vera Gel is best.
Take a leaf of Aloe Vera and sheer one of the outer layers from the flatter side. You will see the colorless gel. Apply it on the affected area of abrasion. Remove the rest of the gel and store it in an airtight glass bottle for further use.
Honey - Apply honey on the affected area. Honey with its antiseptic capabilities not only helps abrasion to heal fast, but also reduces the itch.
Coconut Oil - Apply coconut oil on the abrasion area and just forget about it. Coconut oil helps in maintaining smooth skin in addition to healing the abrasion. Apply it two or three times a day.
Lavender Oil - Expensive but great. it heals well and smells nice. Apply a few drops of lavender oil on the abrasion and spread it to cover the area. Do it 3 times a day.
Garlic - Garlic heals it fast but stinks. This is a compromise but well worth it as it will heal the abrasions fastest among all the above given home remedies. Sulfur in the garlic does the trick. Bring a clove of garlic to make a paste and apply on the affected area.
If your abrasion doesn't get healed in 3-5 days or doesn't show any improvements then visit a doctor as it may require medical attention.