Keep a deep scrape covered or let it get air?

Question

i have been told by two nurses two different things. one says let it dry out, the other says it needs to be covered and moist so it can heal from the inside. it is a pretty deep scrape on my finger about 2 in long. they also said that i need to soak it so the scab thats on there now gets mushy and will come off. that just don't seem right to me. what do you guys know about this stuff?

Answer 1

I would put triple antibiotic cream on it, and cover it with a band aid.

Answer 2

Use neosporin and keep it covered, if you just leave it, it will leave a scar. If you medicate it and keep it covered it will heal faster and with less scarring.Plus if you just leave it there is a better chance of it getting infected. Whoever told you to leave it uncovered is a quack.

Answer 3

Do a little of both.  It needs air and it also needs to be protected when you are in public places or working and stuff like that.

Answer 4

Your hands touch places where you don't pay any attention to where those places have been or with what bacteria may be attached. If the scrape is deep, about 1/16 to 1/8 inches its best to keep the wound covered. You don't want any contagious or life threatening germs to enter into the depths of the wound. Normally I treat my scrapes with soap and water, add "neosporene" cream and cover with gauze and med tape. In the evening, I air it out after bathing with a light coat of rubbing alcohol air drying out. The alcohol kills some of the infections and speeds up the healing process. It kinda stings but it seems as if my body's repair section goes into over-drive to heal the wound before the burning pain of additional alcohol is dabbed at the sight.

Note: I'm not a m*******t