A scrape is an area where the skin is rubbed off. It usually occurs after you fall down or hit something. A scrape is usually not serious, but it can be painful and may bleed slightly.
Call your doctor if:
A scrape is often dirty. Even if you don't see dirt, the scrape can get infected. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly.
Lammers RL. Principles of wound management. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 34.
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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