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Scratches on the face can be quite a hassle—not only due to the pain but also because the face is where people fear scars the most. Luckily, you can treat and care for facial scratches at home to promote healing and prevent scarring. If a scratch continues bleeding after you've pressed it for 10 minutes or if it becomes infected, seek immediate medical attention.
Steps
Clean the Scratches
Wash Your Hands with Soap and Water. Before touching the scratch, it's important to wash your hands to remove any bacteria or germs. Use soap and warm water to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, then rinse and dry them with a clean towel.
Press the wound to stop the bleeding. Take a clean piece of cloth or towel and press it gently over the wound. Hold it in place for about 5 minutes, continuing to apply pressure throughout this time until the bleeding stops.
- Superficial scrapes usually don't bleed for too long.
- If the bleeding persists after 10 minutes, the wound might require stitches. Contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Wash the wound with soap and water. Lean over a sink and gently splash water onto your face. Take a few drops of hand soap and carefully rub it onto the scratch, being careful not to touch it too harshly and cause the bleeding to resume.
- It's crucial to wash the injured area thoroughly to remove any bacteria or germs that might be present.
- Never use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound; it's too strong for this purpose.
Rinse the scrapes for about 2 minutes. Lean forward over the sink and let water flow gently over the wound. Keep it under the water for 2 minutes to wash away the soap and dirt. Gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel once done.
- If you're cleaning a child's scrape, it might be challenging to get them to stay still for 2 minutes. If you can't rinse for the full 2 minutes, try to wash it for as long as you can.
Apply an antibacterial cream. Squeeze a small amount, about the size of a pea, of an antibacterial cream, lotion, or ointment and apply it to the scratch to prevent infection. If that's all you have, you can also use petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
- Antibacterial ointments are available at most pharmacies.
Cover the scratch with a bandage. Open a bandage and carefully place it over the scratch, making sure it fully covers the antibacterial cream. If needed, you can use multiple bandages to cover the entire wound on your face.
- Covering the scratch ensures protection from bacteria and germs, helping to prevent infection.
Wound Care
Change the bandage daily. To keep the scrape clean, you should replace the bandage at least once a day or whenever it gets dirty or damp. Always use a clean bandage to cover the wound until it heals.
- A dirty bandage can allow bacteria to enter the wound, leading to infection and scarring.
- Keep a box of band-aids on hand so you can easily replace the bandage when needed.
Keep the scrape clean and dry. Pay attention to ensure the bandage and the wound stay clean and dry. When showering or washing your face, gently remove the bandage and apply a new one once you're done.
Moisturize the scrape with petroleum jelly. After applying the first round of antibacterial cream, there's no need for more. In the future, simply take a small amount of petroleum jelly, about the size of a pea, and apply it to the scrape each time you change the bandage to keep the skin moist, helping the wound heal faster.
- Moisturizing helps your body heal the wound quicker and prevents scarring.
- Once the wound has closed, you can apply vitamin E to accelerate the recovery process.
Apply a cold compress to your face every 1-2 hours to reduce swelling. If your face is swollen or bruised, you can apply an ice pack for 10-15 minutes every few hours. Place the ice pack on your face to decrease blood flow to the injured area and cool the skin. Perform this step within the first 24 hours after the injury.
- Superficial scrapes usually don’t bruise much, except when they are near the eyes.
Scar Prevention
Avoid peeling off the scab that forms over the wound. Scabbing is your body’s natural healing process. If you peel the scab off, it could result in a larger, thicker scar, so try not to touch it.
- If you find it difficult not to pick at the scab, consider covering the scrape with a bandage to avoid touching it unconsciously.
Apply SPF 30 sunscreen to the healed scrape. Once the scrape has healed, apply sunscreen to protect the new skin whenever you go outside. Sun damage can cause deeper, more visible scars, especially on freshly healed wounds.
- Make applying sunscreen daily a habit to protect your skin from sun damage.
- Wear a sun hat to shield the scraped area from darkening under the sun.
Consult a doctor about treatment options like creams or laser therapy. If you're particularly concerned about scars, ask your doctor about methods to reduce the risk. They may suggest treatments such as steroid injections, steroid creams, or laser therapy.
- Superficial scrapes usually don’t require medical intervention for scar treatment. However, if you have multiple scrapes or they are located on prominent areas of your face, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor for peace of mind.
Tips
- Clean the scrapes as soon as possible and keep the injured area warm to speed up the healing process.
- Always keep the scratched area clean and dry to promote faster healing.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc to help heal the scrapes, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
Warning
- Seek medical attention if the wound continues to bleed after 10 minutes of applying pressure. It might need stitches.
- If the scrape becomes swollen, extremely painful, or has pus, it could be infected. Seek medical care promptly.
What You Will Need
Cleaning Scrapes
- Cloth towel
- Soap
- Antibiotic ointment
- Band-aids
Healing Scrapes
- Band-aids
- Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
- Ice pack (optional)
Scar Prevention
- SPF 30 Sunscreen
