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Introduction
Abrasions and cuts are among the
most common of all injuries. Usually
they are not serious.
An abrasion is an injury in which
some skin is removed by hard rubbing
against a rough surface. It may
affect only the surface layer of the
skin or it may go deeper. In rare
cases the whole thickness of the
skin may be removed in some places.
Cuts, in which the injury is caused
by a sharp edge of some kind, can
vary more in severity and can
sometimes be very serious. Doctors
call them lacerations.
Symptoms
Most small abrasions and cuts cause
only a short period of pain at the
time and some soreness as they heal.
There may also be a small amount of
bleeding, although this should stop
quite quickly.
If they heal without complications
there should be few other symptoms.
Treatment
For minor abrasions and cuts,
washing them well and covering them
with an adhesive dressing (sticking
plaster or similar) is usually all
that is needed.
More severe injuries call for
attention at a hospital Accident and
Emergency Department or Minor
Injuries Unit. If you are in doubt
about the severity, play safe and
get a doctor to check it.
In very severe abrasions, so much
skin may have been lost that a skin
graft may be required.
A deep cut may require expert
examination to find out the full
extent of the injury, and such a
wound must be cleaned very
thoroughly before being stitched.
Bleeding arteries may have to be
tied off. If nerves and tendons have
been cut they will have to be joined
by a surgeon, which will involve an
operation under a general
anaesthetic.
Complications
Abrasions and cuts can often be
complicated by infection, especially
if the wound is contaminated with
mud or soil. If the infection is
severe, recovery will be slower and
may be incomplete.
Very deep abrasions and cuts are
especially liable to serious
infection and you should always seek
medical attention for them. Even
superficial cuts can result in
severe bleeding.
Make sure your tetanus vaccination
is up to date. This is especially
important if you are at risk of
getting contaminated wounds. For
example:
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Farmers
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Gardeners
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Builders / construction workers
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Cleaners
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Keen sportspeople - especially
if you play rugby, football (or
similar games) or cycle (on or
off road)
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Archaeologists
Cuts may also be complicated by
injury to nerves and tendons, which
can cause long-term disability.
Extract taken from NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
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