Bruises & Abrasians
Bruises are injures to the skin in which the skin is unbroken. Tissue beneath the skin is injured leading to rupture of small blood vessels under the skin. Pain is due to the pressure of swelling under the skin as well as from the blood from the torn blood vessels. Ice applied immediately after the injury will decrease the amount of bruising. After twenty-four hours, warmth applied to the bruised area will decrease pain and speed the recovery of the damaged tissue. Bruises will heal slowly over approximately one week, changing colors as they heal. Initially red bruises will soon turn blue then slowly green, then yellow as the blood in the injured tissue is reabsorbed into the body.
Abrasions are scraped injures in which areas of the skin are removed superficially. They may be small (scratch or large bike accidents, "road rash", or gym floor "burns"). Abrasions should be cleaned well with soap and water and dressed with an antimicrobial ointment such as Polysporin or bacitracin.
Large abrasions present the same complications as burns. Infection may be a problem and special care should be taken to keep the wound clean. Dress the wound if cleanliness is a problem but change the dressing at least daily. If pain is severe, Tylenol, Motrin, Solarcaine or Americaine spray may help.
Contact the office if any signs of infection develop (redness, "red streaks", pus or foul odor) or if the last tetanus shot was more than five years ago. Most abrasions heal in seven to ten days without scarring.
