What is a scrape?

What is a scrape? A scrape is a shallow wound caused by skin rubbing against a rough surface, medically called an abrasion. It occurs when friction removes the top layers of skin, the epidermis and sometimes part of the superficial dermis. Common causes include falling on pavement, carpet, turf, or concrete, and sliding injuries in sports. Because many superficial nerve endings are exposed but deeper blood vessels are not cut, a scrape often stings or burns intensely but bleeds only lightly with oozing. Medically, scrapes are classified as first-degree involving only epidermis, second-degree involving superficial dermis, and third-degree or avulsion involving deeper layers. Most minor scrapes heal within 5 to 14 days as new skin cells migrate from edges and hair follicles. Proper care includes washing hands, rinsing under clean running water, gently removing visible dirt with clean tweezers, avoiding harsh scrubbing or hydrogen peroxide, applying plain petroleum jelly to keep moist, covering with nonstick bandage, and changing daily while watching for infection signs like increasing redness, warmth, pus, fever, or worsening pain.