This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition. Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer
Your child may have scrapes on the skin from falls. A scrape is red, raw, and may bleed a little. Sometimes scrapes can get dirt in them.
Wash your hands. Wash the wound with warm, soapy water for 5 minutes. If there is dirt, scrub the wound with a wet gauze or cloth. You may have to take out big pieces of dirt with tweezers.
If there is tar in the wound, rub it with petroleum jelly, (such as Vaseline). This helps get rid of the tar. Then wash the scrape again with soap and water.
Clean a pair of small, sharp scissors with rubbing alcohol. Cut off any loose pieces of skin with the scissors. Rinse the wound well.
Put an antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, on the scrape. Cover it with a Band-Aid or gauze. This is very important when a scrape is over a joint (such as elbow, knee, or hand). When you use ointment, it keeps the scrape from cracking and coming back open.
Clean your child's scrape once a day with warm water. Then put on fresh antibiotic ointment and a clean Band-Aid. Do this until the scrape heals.
Give your child pain medicine if it hurts a lot. You can give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
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