May also be called: Scrape
An abrasion (scrape) happens when something rubs away the top layers of skin. You can treat a scrape easily with proper cleaning and care.
Falling or rubbing against a hard surface often causes a scrape.
If your child gets a scrape, clean it right away. Remove anything in the scrape, such as dirt, sand, or gravel. To help prevent infection, keep the scrape clean until it heals. Putting a bandage over it can help.
A scrape can be painful but most don't need stitches. A scrape is not likely to leave a scar, but the area of skin might take some time to return to its usual color.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
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