Abrasion (medical)

Abrasion on the palm of a right hand, shortly after falling

Specialty Emergency medicine

An abrasion is a partial thickness wound caused by damage to the skin and can be superficial
involving only the epidermis to deep, involving the deep dermis. Abrasions usually involve minimal
bleeding.[1] Mild abrasions, also known as grazes or scrapes, do not scar or bleed because the
dermis is left intact, but deep abrasions that disrupt the normal dermal structures may lead to the
formation of scar tissue. A more traumatic abrasion that removes all layers of skin is called
an avulsion.
Abrasion injuries most commonly occur when exposed skin comes into moving contact with a rough
surface, causing a grinding or rubbing away of the upper layers of the epidermis.

By degree[edit]

Abrasions on elbow and lower arm. The elbow wound will produce a permanent scar.
 A first-degree abrasion involves only epidermal injury.
 A second-degree abrasion involves the epidermis as well as the dermis and may bleed
slightly.
 A third-degree abrasion involves damage to the subcutaneous layer and the skin and is often
called an avulsion.