What to do when a scrape oozes

Skin Care article posted on Feb 17, 2010 by Joséphine Beck, Digestive Care Advisor

Scrapes are caused by the skin rubbing against something abrasive. Most scrapes are minor and can be taken care of at home. They may be uncomfortable, but they usually heal quite fast, usually within a week. However, it is not uncommon to have clear fluid oozing coming out of a scrape. Does it mean the scrape is getting infected? What should you do when a scrape oozes?

What to do when a scrape oozes?
Can oozing be a sign of infection?
Should a scrape be covered with a bandage?
Are there any natural treatments for a minor scrape that oozes?
Interview with Danny O'Rawe, N.D.: all about cuts and essential oils
Other articles on cuts, wounds and scrapes
Resources

What to do when a scrape oozes?

According to Jan Nissl, “It is common to have small amounts of fluid drain or ooze from a scrape. This oozing usually clears up gradually and stops within 4 days. Drainage is not a concern as long as there are no signs of infection.”

However if the scrape is either too deep, infected, if you can’t control the bleeding, if there are still remaining debris after cleaning or if the wound is located on sensitive skin, medical wound care is usually much needed. See: How to heal open wounds faster – First aid guidelines

Can oozing be a sign of infection?

Yes, it can be, especially if a scab has formed over an area that moves. Clear yellowish to pinkish fluid may ooze from the wound and an infection could develop under the scab.

“If a scrape is weeping clear fluid, it's okay, but if it contains blood or pus or there is redness that is traveling away from the wound, the scrape has become infected and needs to be treated with a course of oral antibiotics”, says Samuel Wentworth, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Danville, Indiana.

If you see any swelling, pus or a traveling area of redness, see a doctor because it is likely it is a sign of infection.

Most scrapes form a scab during the healing process, which is good. Once a scab is formed, the scraped area usually remains dry and does not ooze fluid anymore. In fact, a scab protects the scrape from additional injury and infection.

Should a scrape be covered with a bandage?

If a scrape oozes or still might get infected, it is advisable to cover the area with a loose-fitting bandage. Bandages keep the scrape clean, keep harmful bacteria out, and maintain moisture to prevent your skin from drying out.

However, a scrape heals best if it is left uncovered. Also, when the scrape stays moist, it often oozes fluid or small amounts of blood. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, it is better to exposure the scrape to the air to speed the healing process.

Are there any natural treatments for a minor scrape that oozes?

Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that can be used when the scrape is weeping. It helps kill bacteria without damaging newly forming skin cells and does not sting (which is nice for kids!). You can sprinkle colloidal silver over the affected area. It is not recommended to use essential oils at this stage, when the infection is still likely to happen.

It is also very important to wash the area before application and cover the scrape afterward with a nonstick bandage, which prevents the scab from binding the bandage to the wound.

Interview with Danny O'Rawe, N.D.: all about cuts and essential oils

How to use essential oils to heal a cut: Essential oils have properties that have been applied in traditional medicine since ancient times and are still widely used today for the treatment of a variety of problems, including cuts. Danny O'Rawe has spent over 30 years working with plants, practicing as a Herbalist, Naturopath and Aromatherapist. Read what he has to say about aromatherapy and the way to use essential oils to heal cuts.

Resources

How a scrap heals Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BS
How to treat scrapes (Optiderma.com)
Cuts, scrapes, and scratches (Mothernature.com)

If you think this article may be useful for others and want to link to it, please use the following format: Beck, Josephine. "What to do when a scrape oozes" Optiderma.com. Feb 17, 2010. http://www.optiderma.com/en/they-talk-about-it/skin-articles/what-to-do-when-a-scrape-oozes.html

What to do when a scrape oozes? Feel free to share your own experience by leaving a comment!

Comments from the community (1)

"begee3" on 2011-06-21 at 11:44:16

I have great success using calendula lotion which evaporates and does not keep a wound moist like a cream does. BUT no one seems to sell it now. Dorothy Shepherd a doctor at the Homeopathic Hospital in London in the 30's wrote of curing gangrene in WW! for soldiers returned from the trenches. Help Bring back the lotion please. !!

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