Whether it’s a fall on the beach, a rocky hike, or a quick bike ride near home, superficial skin injuries are common—both in tourist areas and in everyday life. While most are minor, poor care can lead to infection or scarring. Here’s how to identify a minor wound, what to do immediately, how to prevent infection, and when to see a medical professional.
What is an abrasion?
An abrasion is a skin injury caused by friction, commonly known as a scrape. It can happen when you slip on sand, gravel, or pavement. In healthy people, abrasions are usually minor; however, in those with weakened immune defenses they require proper care to avoid complications such as infection. Abrasions often appear on elbows, knees, palms, or legs—especially in children, cyclists, and people practicing adventure sports.
How to recognize a superficial wound
- Red area with partial loss of the top skin layer
- Mild bleeding or clear fluid
- Local burning, pain, or stinging
- No fat, muscle, or bone exposed
- Usually small and limited to one area
What to do right away
- Wash your hands well before touching the wound.
- Rinse with clean (preferably potable) water.
- Use neutral soap around—never inside—the wound.
- Remove dirt with sterile gauze or clean tweezers.
- Apply a gentle antiseptic (chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, or sterile saline).
- Cover with a sterile dressing (gauze, bandage, or breathable adhesive).
- Change the dressing daily or if it gets wet/dirty.
- Watch for signs of infection in the following days.
When to worry
Consult a Kipcalm physician for assessment—and ambulance dispatch if needed—if:
- Bleeding is heavy or doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
- Signs of infection: spreading redness, severe pain, pus, warmth, or fever not relieved by medication
- Thick scab formation or bad odor
- The wound occurred in a high-contamination setting (seawater, animals, dirty sand)
Prevention while traveling
- Wear proper footwear for rocky trails or hikes
- Avoid running on wet surfaces or loose sand
- Use elbow/knee pads for cycling, skating, or extreme sports
- Keep a close eye on kids near stones, pools, or stairs
- Carry a basic first-aid kit on outings
Why Kipcalm helps
When traveling—especially in remote places or where you don’t speak the language—accessing care can be hard. With Kipcalm you can:
- Get care in Spanish or English from your phone
- Resolve minor symptoms without leaving home or your hotel
- Obtain prescriptions to relieve discomfort
- Know when urgent care or an ER visit is needed
- Prevent minor issues from turning into hospital stays