The skin consists of three layers, the epidermis, dermis, and the fat layer. The epidermis is an extremely thin top layer which we most associate with the term "skin." The dermis is immediately below the epidermis and is home to hair follicles, sweat glands, and small blood carrying capillaries. The bottom fat layer contains just that along with blood vessels and nerves.
A cut or scrape occurs when one or more of these skin layers is punctured. The severity of the wound depends, among other things, on the depth of the puncture, the instrument or object that pierced the skin, and the location of the cut. Many people successfully treat cuts and scrapes at home with the use of cleansers and
antibiotic ointments. However, for more serious wounds (such as ones that do not close, ones that may have damaged some underlying skin component or ones that are particularly unclean) the victim should seek medical attention. Additionally, the victim should consult a
physician about receiving a tetanus booster shot if he or she has not had one within the previous five years. The tetanus shot helps to prevent "lockjaw," a potentially deadly condition that may result from an improperly treated wound.
The tearing of skin causes an abrasion. As with cuts and scrapes, many people successfully treat abrasions at home with the use of cleansers and antibiotic ointments. However, for more serious abrasions the victim should seek medical attention.
See Also
- Skin Disorders: Overview
- 15-Passenger Vans: Overview
- 2003 & 2004 Honda CR-V SUVs
- 2003 METRA Commuter Train Accident - Chicago
- 2003 Staten Island Ferry Accident
- 2004 Hyundai Elantra Airbags
- 2004 I-95 Maryland Tanker Truck Accident
- 2004 Mississippi Amtrak Train Derailment
- Accelerator
- Air Rage: Overview
- Airbags
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
- Automatic Doors: Overview
- Baby Cribs, Car Seats & Carriers
- Bachtold Brothers Inc. Brush Cutters
- Boats, Personal Watercraft & Jet Skis
- Brakes
- Bridgestone/Firestone Steeltex Tires
- Bronco II
- Car Roof Integrity
- Clinipad Antiseptic Sterile Products
- Cooper Tires / Dean Tires
- Crane Accidents
- Cruise Ship & Ferry Accidents
- Dangerous Rides & Attractions
- Daycare Abuse: Overview
- Dangerous Decorations: Overview
- Deer Tree Stands
- Diving Accidents: Overview
- Dog Bite
- Electric Blankets
- Evenflo Discovery Infant Car Seats
- Firestone Tires: Overview
- Fireworks: Overview
- Fitness Center Liability: Overview
- Fitness Equipment: Overview
- Ford Crown Victoria
- Ford Explorer
- Ford F-150: Overview
- Ford Fire Defect
- Ford SUVs & Pickup Trucks - Door Latches
- Forklift Accidents
- Front-to-Rear Collision
- Front-to-Side Collision
- Gas & Oil Pipeline Accidents
- Gas Cans
- Gas Station Static Electricity Fires
- General Motors Vehicles
- Gun Violence: Overview
- Head-On Collision With Another Vehicle
- Head-On With Object
- Defective Helmets: Overview
- High-Speed Police Chases
- Hospital Bed Fires
- Inadequate Security: Overview
- Inmate Abuse: Overview
- Lawn Care Tools: Overview
- Lifetime Products Inc. Portable Basketball Hoops
- Logging Accidents
- Los Angeles Metrolink Commuter Train Accident
- Mattress Fires
- Mining & Oil Field Accidents
- Motorcycles
- Multi-Purpose Lighters
- Nailgun Accidents
- Nursing Home & Elder Abuse
- Paint Guns
- Parasailing: Overview
- Plane Crashes, Accidents & Near Misses
- Plastic Surgery: Overview
- Playground Accidents: Overview
- Police Misconduct: Overview
- Pool Accidents
- Rear End Collision: Overview
- Rear-Center-Seat Lap Belts
- Reclining Seats
- Remington Model 700 Rifle: Overview
- Rollover
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Scooters: Overview
- Seat Belts
- Second Chance Body Armor Bulletproof Vests
- Shield-Style Car Seats
- Side Impact Collision
- Ski Resort Liability: Overview
- Skin-Cap: Overview
- Snowboards: Overview
- Snowmobiles: Overview
- Swimming Pool Drains
- Dangerous Folding Tables: Overview
- Tractor-Trailer Accidents
- Tractor-Trailer Underride Accidents
- Train Accidents
- Treadmill: Overview
- Vehicle Design / Crashworthiness
- Vermeer Round Hay Baler
- Violent Children & Teenagers: Overview
- Water Parks & Slides: Overview
- Windshields & Auto Glass: Overview
- Wired Glass
- Workplace Violence