How to Heal Scraped Knees

Even though a scraped knee is a relatively minor injury, it's important to take the necessary steps to ensure a quick and safe recovery. With just a few easily available materials, you can clean and care for the wound. Follow the proper steps, and you'll heal in no time.

Examine the wound. In most cases, knee scrapes are minor and can be treated at home – but it's still a good idea to examine the wound to be sure. A wound is considered minor and can be treated without medical care if:

• The scrape isn't deep enough to expose fat, muscle, or bone.
• There's not a lot of bleeding.
• The edges of the wound aren't jagged or gaping.
• If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should contact a doctor.
• If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, you should visit a doctor for a booster.
• If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years, and the object that caused the wound was very dirty or sharp (resulting in a deep puncture wound), you should see a doctor for a tetanus booster.

Wash your hands before treating the wound. You certainly don't want to risk infection when treating a scraped knee, so make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before beginning any wound care. For extra safety, you may want to wear disposable gloves before starting the cleaning process of the injured knee.

Stop the bleeding if necessary. If the knee is bleeding, you need to apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.

• If there is dirt or debris stuck to the bleeding area, clean it off before attempting to stop the bleeding. Alternatively, you can clean the wound after applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
• Place a clean cloth or gauze on the wound and press down for a few minutes to help stop the bleeding.
• Replace the cloth or gauze if it becomes soaked with blood.
• If the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes, contact a doctor as the wound may need stitches.

Rinse the wound with water. Let cool water flow over the injured knee or pour water directly onto it. Make sure to rinse for a sufficient amount of time so that water covers the entire affected skin area, removing all dirt and/or debris.

Clean the wound thoroughly. Use antibacterial soap and water to clean around the wound, but avoid getting soap directly in the wound to prevent irritation. This step will help remove bacteria and prevent infection.

• Hydrogen peroxide and iodine alcohol are commonly used to disinfect external wounds like a scraped knee. However, hydrogen peroxide and iodine alcohol can actually damage living cells, so medical professionals now recommend avoiding their use on wounds.

Remove any debris. If there is anything stuck in the wound like dirt, sand, or small particles, use tweezers to carefully remove these materials. First, sanitize the tweezers by rubbing them with a cotton ball or gauze soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Once the debris is removed, rinse with cool water.

• If dirt or other substances are deeply lodged in the wound and cannot be removed, contact a doctor.

Gently pat dry. After washing and rinsing the scraped knee, use a clean cloth or towel to gently dab the injured skin to dry it. Patting instead of wiping will help you avoid unnecessary pain.

Apply antibiotic ointment, especially if the wound is dirty. This can help reduce the risk of infection during the healing process.

• There are various types of antibiotic creams and ointments containing different active ingredients or compounds (such as bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin). Always follow the product's instructions for dosage and application.
• Some ointments combine mild pain-relieving ingredients.
• Some creams or ointments may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. If you notice redness, itching, swelling, etc., after using one of these products, stop using it and try another one with a different active ingredient.

Dress the wound. Ensure the knee is fully covered with a bandage to protect the wound from dust, infection, and irritation from clothing while it heals. You can use adhesive bandages or sterile gauze, securing it with tape or stretchable bandages.

Replace the bandage when necessary. Change the knee bandage daily or more frequently if it gets wet or dirty. Clean the wound as before.

• Studies suggest that quickly removing the adhesive bandage may cause more pain than a slower removal. This depends partly on the nature of the wound.
• Rubbing oil onto both ends of the bandage and waiting a while might make the removal process less painful.

Apply antibiotic ointment daily. Although this alone won't speed up the healing process, it helps prevent infection. The ointment also keeps the wound moist while it heals, preventing scabbing and scarring that could occur if the wound dries out. Generally, apply the ointment once or twice a day. Check the product's instructions for proper usage and dosage.

Pay attention to how the wound heals. The speed of recovery from a scraped knee varies depending on factors like age, diet, stress levels, smoking habits, or any underlying health conditions. Additionally, the antibiotic ointment will only help fight infection and won't necessarily speed up the healing. If the wound seems to heal unusually slowly, seek professional medical advice as it could indicate a more serious condition, like an underlying illness.

Contact a doctor if the situation worsens. You will need professional care if:

• The knee joint stops functioning.
• The knee feels numb.
• The wound continues bleeding.
• There are dirt or foreign objects in the wound that cannot be removed.
• The injury becomes inflamed or swollen.
• Red streaks radiate from the wound.
• The wound starts to discharge pus.
• You develop a fever above 38°C.

• Water
• Antibacterial soap
• Tweezers
• Clean towel or cloth
• Antibiotic ointment
• Gauze bandage