Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Articles

Cuts and scrapes: First aid

Content
Overview
Treatment
When to call your doctor

When to call your doctor

Seek medical care if:

  • See a healthcare professional if you see signs of infection on the skin or near the wound. These include expanding changes in color, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.
  • See a healthcare professional to get a tetanus shot. A tetanus shot is needed if you haven't had one in the past five years and the wound is deep or dirty.