Primary Care of a Scrape

What is the best way to treat a scrape?

Almost all active bleeding can be stopped by applying direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to the wound for five to ten minutes. The most common mistake is to stop the pressure too early to look at the wound. Once the bleeding stops: wash the wound gently with soap and water for five minutes. If your child continually resists and won't let you do it, try soaking the wound in the bathtub. Cleaning the wound will decrease the chance of infection and prevent dark spots caused by dirt trapped in the skin. After cleaning: apply a small amount of antibacterial ointment to keep the wound moist and cover it with a dry gauze or bandage until it has healed.