Scrapes

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock occur:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Severe bleeding does not slow during the first 15 minutes of steady direct pressure.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have the following symptom, evaluate it first.

• A cut that may need stitches, staples, or skin adhesives: Go to the topic Cuts.

Yes	Do you have bleeding from a scrape?
Yes	Has a scrape removed all the layers of skin (avulsion injury)?
Yes	Are you unable to adequately clean a scrape using home treatment?
Yes	Do you think you have an infection?
Yes	Do you have a scrape that may need stitches, staples, or skin adhesives?
Yes	Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?
Yes	Do you have a scrape that is not healing?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: June 30, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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