Abrasions

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The wound care treatment administered for abrasions depends upon the level to which skin integrity is compromised, but they are usually associated with partial thickness skin damage. Treatment aims typically include protecting the skin from further damage (i.e. removing the potential for further friction), controlling excess moisture and healing the wound if the skin has broken down.

For minor abrasions, delicate skin can be protected by using 3M™ Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film and / or a semi-permeable film such as 3M™ Tegaderm™ Film Dressing or and 3M™ Tegaderm™ +Pad Dressing. 

For abrasions with higher levels of exudate a hydrocolloid dressing such as 3M™ Tegaderm™ Hydrocolloid Thin Dressing or a polyurethane foam dressing such as 3M™ Tegaderm™ Foam Dressing can offer more absorption. A wound contact dressing such as 3M™ Tegaderm™ Contact Dressing can be left in place whilst some secondary absorbent dressings are changed to help prevent trauma to the wound bed.

Information provided with support from the Wound Healing Research Unit, Cardiff.