Abrasions |
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Abrasions
and Cuts are some of the most common
injuries from which people suffer.
Children and toddlers are prone
to them because they frequently
injure their hands, knees and elbows.
These injuries are not usually serious
and can heal without medical care
if the wounds are kept clean. The
healing of abrasions does not leave
scars. Deeper
abrasions, also called lacerations
or cuts, are usually accompanied
with bleeding, and the amount
of bleeding depends on the severity
of the wound. Minor cuts can be
successfully treated at home,
but deeper cuts require medical
intervention and may need several
days to heal.
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Causes and Risk Factors
Abrasions
occur when the skin accidentally
rubs against rough surfaces and
cuts occur when deeper layers of
the skin are slashed. Individuals
who often experience abrupt awkward
movements, such as children, are
more susceptible to experiencing
scrapes and cuts. As children grow
up, their fine motor skills improve
and they gain a better control over
the movement of their hands and
legs. Consequently, the risk of
obtaining abrasions and cuts is
reduced.
The
risk of obtaining abrasions and
cuts increases during advanced
pregnancy because maintaining
balance becomes difficult and
the risk increases with aging
because the brain slows down and
causes limb movements to be shaky.
Being careless also increases
the risk. Chopping vegetables,
home improvement jobs, walking
on uneven surfaces, cooking, gardening,
and woodwork are some daily tasks
that require careful execution.
An active lifestyle and a love
of outdoor and extreme sports
also lead to frequent scrapes
and gashes. |
Symptoms of Abrasions
The superficial layers of the skin are
removed when an abrasion is experienced
and this exposes the underlying tissue.
Several nerve endings are also exposed
and this causes a sharp pain. Abrasions
do not result in excessive bleeding,
but some bleeding may occasionally be
observed.
Cuts
often result in bleeding because the
blood vessels that are present in the
skin become ruptured. Cuts are sometimes
deep enough to expose the underlying
muscle tissue and bones and such cuts
require immediate professional help.
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