traumatology

Remedies for excoriations

Excoriations are minor traumatic lesions of the skin, involving superficial epidermal layers.

As a result of rubbing against rough surfaces, or insults from blunt objects, the skin suffers an injury and, tearing itself, produces more or less important excoriations.

The deepest excoriations assume the connotation of abrasion or wound.

Excoriations are minor injuries that can be resolved in a few days, without the need for special care.

What to do

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the excoriation: doing so minimizes the risk of infection
  • Remove any foreign bodies from the excoriation (chips, glass fragments, soil, etc.); if possible, use sterile gauzes during the maneuver
  • Disinfect the abrasion with specific antiseptic substances or with hydrogen peroxide (excellent disinfectant for wounds, abrasions, bruises)
  • If the excoriation is important: wrap the abrasion with sterile bandages. Change the bandage one or more times a day
  • After wrapping, an ice bag can be applied directly to the abrasion. The application of ice gives immediate relief, therefore it reduces the perception of heat, masks pain and reduces swelling

What NOT to do

  • Touch the abrasion with dirty hands
  • Wrap the wound without removing foreign bodies (eg splinters)
  • Expose the wound to the sun
  • Scratching / tearing or removing the crust formed in the excoriation, as the eschar will detach from itself at the time when it is appropriate
  • Use non-sterile cloths or tissues
  • Clean the wound from the outside to the inside (doing so, any splinters or fragments of wood / glass are conveyed in the abrasion)
  • Apply ice directly on the abrasion: first the wound must be clean, medicated and bandaged

What to eat and what not to eat

  • There is no scientific evidence that relates food to the improvement or worsening of excoriation symptoms. However, it seems that a diet rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, strawberries, blackcurrants, parsley, cauliflower, broccoli etc.) speeds up healing.

Natural Cures and Remedies

  • The application of natural ointments or creams formulated with active ingredients with an anti-inflammatory, healing, re-epithelising and soothing action shortens recovery and healing time:
    • Aloe gel: Aloe barbadensis → re-epithelising properties
    • Chamomile: Matricaria camomilla L. → soothing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties
    • Myrrh: Commiphora molmol → is an excellent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and disinfectant
    • Propolis: resinous substance with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, re-epithelizing and antiseptic properties

Pharmacological care

  • Apply disinfectant solutions directly on the abrasion to minimize the risk of infection
  • Apply ointments / gels with anti-inflammatory / pain-relieving action to minimize pain caused by excoriation: lidocaine (eg Xylocaine, Lidofast, Luan CHIR) and benzocaine (eg Foille) are particularly indicated
  • Take anti-inflammatory / analgesic drugs by mouth: indicated in case of intense pain associated with abrasions. For example ibuprofen (eg. Brufen, moment, nurofren), Promelase (eg Altan, Flaminase), Ketoprofen (eg Flexen, Ketodol, Oki)
  • Apply ointments or gauze impregnated with hyaluronic acid (eg connectivine)

Prevention

  • Tetanus vaccination is recommended: wounds, lesions or excoriations of the skin are entry doors for pathogens. In this sense, Clostridium tetani infections are the most dangerous.
  • Wear specific protection before practicing "risky" sports (cycling, skiing, skating, snowboarding, etc.): helmet, padded knee pads, shin guards etc. it is useful to reduce the risk of excoriation in the event of a fall.

Medical treatments

  • In most cases, bruises do not require any specific medical treatment; as these are generally superficial lesions, excoriations are self-resolving within a few days.