Treating a graze
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Grazes are shallow but hold a lot of dirt and need thorough cleaning.
What to do
• Rinse the graze for at least 5 minutes under running water
• Carefully remove grit and dirt with a clean gauze
• Apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment if available
• Cover with a non-stick dressing
• Keep the wound moist and clean for better healing
Do not do
• Do not use dry cotton wool that sticks to the wound
• Do not pick at the scab — this slows healing and increases infection risk
Warning signs
• The wound becomes red and warm after 24 hours — a sign of infection
• Green or yellow pus appears
Get help if
• The graze covers more than 10% of the body
• The graze is on the face or around the eyes
• The graze was caused by asphalt with deeply embedded particles
Why this matters
Grazes with embedded dirt heal badly and become infected quickly. Thorough cleaning in the first hours is crucial.
Source: Rode Kruis EHBO · reviewed 2025-01-01