When to Call a Healthcare Professional Because of an Abrasion

Your name: Your e-mail address: Your friend's e-mail addresses:

(separate multiple addresses with comma)
Indicates required field
Message (limit 100 characters)
Enter answer below:

(Why the math? It protects against spam)
=
Send
Cancel
Your message has been successfully sent!

As with cuts, some abrasions will need professional care.

Reasons to seek emergency help for an abrasion:

• The abrasion is very dirty or messy. A professional will need to clean it thoroughly, especially if it contains embedded gravel or other foreign material. A thorough cleaning, which is necessary to reduce the chance of scarring or infection, may require pain-reducing medications.
• The abrasion is the result of a serious injury or an accident

Reasons to call a healthcare professional for an abrasion:

• if infection sets in (This will take at least 24 hours. The signs of infection are redness on uninjured area around wound; increased tenderness; thick, white or yellow-green pus; red streaks; swelling; warmth in the area; or a fever.)
• if abrasion doesn’t heal in 2 weeks