While a skinned knee is a relatively minor abrasion, you still need to take care of it to heal quickly and safely. You can clean the wound with a few commonly used materials. Do the right thing to get back to normal soon.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Check the wound
In most cases, a skinned knee is a minor problem, treatable at home; in any case, check the lesion to be sure. A wound is said to be minor and treatable at home without a doctor's support if:
- It is not deep enough to show the layer of fat, muscle or bone.
- It does not bleed profusely.
- The flaps are not torn and far apart.
- If you notice any of these features, you should see a doctor.
- If the injury was caused by a rusty metal and you haven't had a tetanus vaccination in many years, contact your doctor.
Step 2. Wash your hands before treating the abrasion
Since there is no need to infect the wound while caring for it, you should definitely wash your hands with soap and warm water before starting any procedure. If you want extra protection, put on disposable gloves before cleaning your knee.
Step 3. Stop any bleeding
If the knee is bleeding, stop the blood from leaking by applying some pressure to the injury.
- If you notice dirt or debris stuck in the skin where the blood comes out, you must rinse the wound to dislodge the foreign objects before dealing with the bleeding. If, on the other hand, the lesion shows no traces of residue, rinse it and wash it after stopping the blood.
- To stop bleeding, press a clean cloth or gauze onto the wound and apply some pressure for a few minutes.
- Change the cloth or gauze if they become soaked in blood.
- If the bleeding does not subside after 10 minutes, see your doctor as stitches may be needed.
Part 2 of 3: Clean and Treat the Wound
Step 1. Rinse the wound
Let the cold water run down your knee or pour it over your knee. Allow the water to wash the wound long enough to get rid of any dirt and grime.
Step 2. Wash the abrasion
Use antibacterial soap and water to clean the knee, but be careful that the cleanser does not come into contact with live flesh, as it may cause irritation. This step prevents bacteria from entering the wound and avoids the risk of infection.
Hydrogen peroxide or iodine tincture was usually used to disinfect skin cuts and injuries such as a skinned knee. However, both of these products damage living cells, and some doctors advise against applying them to lesions
Step 3. Remove any foreign objects
If you notice any debris stuck in the cut, such as dirt, sand, splinters, and so on, then use tweezers to carefully remove them. First clean and disinfect the instrument by wiping it with a cotton swab or gauze soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Once the debris has been removed, rinse with cold water.
If soil or foreign bodies are embedded deep and you can't get them out, call a doctor
Step 4. Dry the knee by gently dabbing it
Once the wound is rinsed and washed, use a clean towel to dry the area. Remember to pat the skin and do not rub it, to avoid unnecessary pain.
Step 5. Apply antibiotic cream, especially if the wound was very dirty
This way you avoid the risk of infection during the healing process.
- There are many types of creams and ointments that contain different active ingredients, even in combination (bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin and so on). Always scrupulously follow the instructions you find on the product leaflet, respect the dosage and method of application.
- Some creams also contain a mild analgesic to reduce pain.
- Some ointments and creams can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you notice redness, swelling and itching developing at the application site, stop using the product and try one with a different active ingredient.
Step 6. Cover the abrasion
Be sure to cover the skinned knee, for as long as it takes to heal, with a bandage to protect it from dirt, infection, and irritation caused by friction with clothing. You can use an adhesive dressing or sterile gauze secured with medical tape or an elastic bandage.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of the Wound While It Heals
Step 1. Put on clean gauze as needed
Change the dressing and bandage daily as the abrasion heals; you can change it even more often if it gets wet or dirty. Each time, wash the area as described above.
- Studies have shown that removing a patch quickly causes less pain than taking it off slowly, however you must choose the best method based on the type of wound.
- You can rub the ends of the sticky part with a little oil to loosen the glue's grip and cause less pain.
Step 2. Apply antibiotic cream every day
While this procedure does not accelerate healing, it does prevent infections from developing. In addition, the cream keeps the lesion moist during healing, so no scabs and consequently scars are formed (as instead occurs when the wound dries). In general, the creams should be applied once or twice a day, but check the instructions on the leaflet of your specific product.
Step 3. Pay attention to the healing process
The speed with which the skin heals depends on various factors such as age, diet, whether you smoke or not, the level of stress, underlying diseases and so on. Also, remember that antibiotic creams eradicate infections but do not speed up recovery times. If you notice that the abrasion is healing too slowly, see a doctor as it could be a sign of something more serious, such as an illness.
Step 4. Contact the healthcare provider if the situation worsens
You must receive medical treatment if:
- The knee joint locks up.
- The knee is numb.
- The wound bleeds without being able to stop the bleeding.
- Soil or foreign bodies are embedded so deep that they cannot be extracted.
- The wound area becomes inflamed or swollen.
- You notice red streaks radiating from the wound.
- Pus comes out.
- You have a fever above 38 ° C.
