Scratches often occur when the skin rubs against a rough surface, exfoliating the top layer of skin. Although classified as minor injuries, but these wounds also require treatment.
The skin consists of the upper part, called the epidermis, and the lower part is called the dermis. As the outermost and widest organ of the body, the skin is prone to scratches and injuries. These sores can occur anywhere on the body, including the knees, elbows, arms, and head.
In general, abrasions occur in the epidermis layer of the skin. These wounds are not as severe as cuts or tears, which cause heavy bleeding. However, deep abrasions can leave scars or scar tissue on the skin.
A laceration is a type of open wound (open wound) which can occur on the outer surface of the skin. In addition to abrasions, there are several other types of injuries that need to be known, namely cuts that can occur due to sharp objects such as razors, torn wounds that can also be caused by sharp objects such as knives, stab wounds caused by sharp objects such as nails, and peeling wounds caused by explosions or gunshots.
Treating Blisters at Home
In mild cases, blisters can generally be treated at home. But keep in mind, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cleaning the wound. Here are ways that can be done as an effort to treat wounds. Among them:
- Clean the wound from any dirt that may have stuck under running water or using a sterile saline solution until clean.
- Use a mild soap such as baby soap to clean the wound. You should avoid using cleaning agents containing alcohol, iodine, or hydrogen peroxide directly on open wounds because they can cause irritation and stinging.
- Apply antibiotics to keep the wound moist, which will speed up healing and prevent infection.
- Cover the wound with a soft sterile gauze and change it daily.
- Painkillers are sometimes needed to treat large, painful blisters. However, avoid taking aspirin because of the risk of prolonging bleeding time.
- Avoid sunburn to prevent permanent hyperpigmentation.
- Consult a doctor if the bleeding from the blisters does not stop, blood spurts out, the edges of the wound are open, the wound is caused by something dirty and rusty, and the wound area feels numb.
- Avoid applying ointments or ingredients other than wound medicine, unless done or recommended by a doctor.
- If there is bruising or swelling, apply an ice pack.
Immediately consult a doctor if the blisters are too wide or too deep to handle alone. Wound healing time is different for each person. This is influenced by several factors, such as age, medical condition or illness, malnutrition, temperature and weather where you live, immune system, presence or absence of infection in the wound, and whether the patient smokes or takes certain drugs.