Other names for Scratches and Abrasions

Minor skin injuries
Superficial lacerations
Surface wounds

Synopsis of Scratches and Abrasions

Scratches and abrasions are superficial injuries that occur when the skin is scraped or rubbed off due to contact with a rough surface. Unlike deep cuts, abrasions usually affect only the outermost layers of the skin (epidermis) and are not typically associated with heavy bleeding. However, they can sting, ooze fluid, and become infected if not properly cleaned. Scratches, caused by sharp objects like fingernails, thorns, or animals, can break the skin in linear patterns and may bleed slightly. Most minor abrasions and scratches heal without medical intervention, but care is essential to prevent infection and scarring.

Types:

• Linear scratches: Thin, straight marks typically from sharp objects or nails

• Grazes (abrasions): Surface-level scraping that may cover a broad area

• Road rash: A type of abrasion caused by falling on a rough surface like asphalt

• Infected abrasions: Red, swollen, and possibly pus-filled if bacteria enter the wound

Common Causes:

• Accidental falls or sports injuries

• Scraping against rough or sharp surfaces

• Animal scratches or bites

• Gardening, hiking, or outdoor activities

• Children’s play-related injuries

Severity Causes:

• Failure to clean the wound properly

• Deep scratches that damage the dermis

• Immunosuppression or poor circulation

• Frequent re-irritation or scratching

• Contaminated objects causing the injury

When to See a Doctor:

• Signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, pus, or warmth)

• Deep or long scratches that may require stitches

• Animal scratches that break the skin (due to rabies/tetanus risk)

• Wounds that don’t heal within 7–10 days

• Presence of a foreign object in the wound

Natural remedies for Scratches and Abrasions

Aloe vera: Speeds healing and soothes inflamed skin. Its antibacterial and moisturizing properties help protect the wound and prevent scarring.

Honey (especially medical-grade Manuka): Acts as a natural antiseptic, promoting wound healing and reducing infection risk when applied to clean skin.

Calendula (if included in proprietary blends): Used traditionally to speed skin regeneration and reduce inflammation. Effective in creams or ointments.

Slippery elm bark: Forms a soothing barrier over minor wounds and supports tissue healing by calming inflammation and promoting hydration.

Turmeric: Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Can be applied as a paste or taken internally to support the healing process.

Chamomile: Calms irritated tissue and reduces redness. Can be applied as a compress or used in skin salves for minor abrasions.

Vitamin C: Promotes collagen production and tissue repair. May be taken internally or used in topical formulations for healing support.

Zinc: Supports immune function and wound closure. Topical zinc oxide creams or oral zinc supplements can accelerate skin regeneration.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Scratches and Abrasions

Abuta
Acacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Agrimony
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Anemone
Anserina
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
babassu
babchi
bai ji
Baliospermum
barbary matrimony vine
bayberry
bee propolis
Begonia fimbristipula
benzoin
bindweed
bisabolene
bittersweet
black poplar
black root
Black spruce
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackbrush
blackthorn
bleeding heart
Bletilla
bloodroot
Brazilian peppertree
Bridges\' penstemon
Bush Monkey Flower
Calochortus
Calotropis gigantea
Calyptridium umbellatum
camphor oil
Campsiandra angustifolia
Campylandra fimbriata
candleberry
carrapichinho
castile soap
cattail
Ceanothus integerrimus
cedar
Cedrus libani
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese thoroughwax
Chiococca alba
cleavers
cocklebur
columbine
comfrey
common thatching grass
common zinnia
copaiba oil
cornflower
cranesbill
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
deerbrush
devil\'s club
dragon\'s blood
Dwarf Nettle
dyer’s woad root
elemi
elephant vine
elkweed
emu oil
English elm
Erigeron
Eupatorium
European hazel
fiesta flower
figwort
fir
fireweed
fleabane
Formosan sweet-gum
four-leaved grass
Gambir
Genipa americana
geranium
Gleditsia
Glycerite
glyceryl monolaurate
golden ragwort
Golden Willow
Gumweed
hairy arnica
hartstongue
Heliopsis
henna
hound\'s tongue
Immortelle
impatiens
iodine
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
Kelloggii's Monkey-flower
Kochia
Labdanum
lac resin
lacquertree
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Leptospermum scoparium
lilac
Lygodium
Lysimachia
Mahonia
Manchurian thorn
Marking Nut Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Microtea debilis
Monardella odoratissima
Moss
Mountain bluebells
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucin
Oak
Ocotillo
oriental arborvitae
Pacific madrone
paederia foetida
Panthenol
parthenium
peacock\'s tail
Pellitory
Pepper Bark Tree
Peroxidase
Pink Root
Plumbago zeylanica
Plumeria lancifolia
Potentilla
Povidone
protease
proteolytic enzymes
Psacalium peltatum
Purple Avens
purple Tephrosia
Quebracho
Queen's Delight
red alder
red soapwort
red spiderling
Rhus coraria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rubber rabbitbrush
Rupturewort
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Sargentodoxa
Siberian Elm
Silverweed
slippery elm bark
Smooth Alder
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Soft rush
Southernwood
Spiraea
Stone Root
Storax
Tansy
tartarian aster
Tea Tree Oil
Terpinen-4-ol
Teucrium marum
Thuja
Toadflax
Tridax
Triplaris peruviana
Trumpet Vine
turmeric
Tynanthus elegans
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
Weak Jumby Pepper
White Dead Nettle Flower
White Heather
White oak
White Poplar
Wild Daisy
Zinc