Wounds that rub or tear off skin are known as scrapes. There are variety of main causes that may result in scrapes. Scrapes occur when the skin is rubbed against a hard surface, and can be resulted from accidents or falls. Over-dry skin in warm weather might be more susceptible to scrapes that even minor scratching may result in ones. Scrapes are commonly not bleeding, but facial scrapes may appear worse, due to more blood supply all over the area. Scrapes depth, size, location, and causes determine how they are going to heal, and proper treatments will definitely speed up the entire healing process.
Healing scrapes with essential oils
Kids are very susceptible to scrapes and cuts. There are various daily activities that may possibly get them to scraped legs, knees, or even a cut finger. With these young kids, it is best to promote scrape healing with remedies that are completely natural and side-effect free, compared to some over the counter mentholated disinfectants. Exploring how essential oils can beneficially take care of scrapes and cuts, therefore, is always useful.
Some essential oils are useful for improving scraped skin because:
- They are extracted from plants with potent medicinal and therapeutic properties. This makes these essential oils an effective remedy choice with less unpleasant side effects.
- They are great antiseptic, disinfectant, antimicrobial, and antibacterial extract that may help kill infesting germs, keep the wound site hygienic, and thus, improve scrapes and cuts.
- Some essential oils also have an ability to slow down bleeding, which is crucial in wound healing.
- Scrape-healing essential oils also alleviate itching, stinging, and pain, and also reduce inflammation. This will help speed up the healing process.
- Essential oils also fade the scars and thus, make them less visible.
Top 8 essential oils for scrapes
1. Tea tree oil
Widely used as an additional substance to various beauty and medicinal products, tea tree oil is a very forceful remedy for various infections. This oil has powerful antimicrobial antifungal, and antibacterial property that is really important for scrape healing. Most scrapes are contaminated with infectious bacteria and germs that may delay healing process. Therefore, applying tea tree oil as the remedy inhibit this bacterial infection and thus, speed up skin tissues regeneration and the entire healing process.
2. Lavender oil
Lavender oil has similarly powerful antibacterial property with tea tree oil. Both are an advised remedy for scrapes, scratches, and minor cuts that affect the skin surface. Lavender is also well-known for its soothing effect, which is beneficial for scrape healing in young kids.
3. Helichrysum oil
This oils is extracted from the everlastingly bloom helichrysum flowers. This oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which is essential for healing deeper scrapes and cuts. Diluted helichrysum oil to pure vegetable or olive oil, based on numerous studies, gives a significant effect to open wounds, including scrapes and cuts.
4. Chamomile oil
Chamomile oil is derived from chamomile flowers, which are high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. Commonly, this essential oil is used for treating diaper rash in babies and skin rash in people with eczema. Its high antioxidant level and this gentle care property makes chamomile oil a great remedy for scrapes. The oil heals the wounds without irritating the surrounding wound site.
5. Peppermint oil
Scrapes are commonly minor. They do not usually cause severe damage to the tissues beneath the skin. However, these open wounds do cause throbbing, stinging, and pain which lead to discomfort. Peppermint oil is one of those effective essential oils for scrape healing, especially because of its analgesic property. This will reduce the caused pain by numbing the wound site and provide soothing and cooling relief hot scrapes or cuts. In addition to this, peppermint oil is also advised for scrape healing as it is also a strong antimicrobial substance that helps eliminating germs and bacteria on site.
6. Lemon oil
What is best about lemon essential oil might be its uplifting, refreshing, and rejuvenating scent. In fact, this oil is also an effective remedy to scrapes, skin rashes, and cuts that is not only affordable but also easy to find. Lemons contain strong antiseptic level, which is essential for wound healing. This will inhibit bacterial infestation, boost tissue regeneration, and speed up the entire wound healing. Lemon essential oil is also useful for scar healing if applied properly and consistently.
7. Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil has a fresh, flowery scent which is also relaxing. Related to scrape healing, this essential oil is one of the best remedies, since it helps keep germs at the bay. Keeping the wound site clean and germ-free is crucial for wound healing. Besides, rosemary is also a pain relieving remedy that soothes pain caused by scrapes.
8. Clove oil
Clove oil is a strong pain reliever that has been widely used as an effective remedy for toothache. This oil also has powerful antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that purify open wounds such as scrapes and cuts. However, this oil might also be skin irritating, so that diluting it with other carrier solution is advised.
Using essential oils for scrapes
Powerful benefits of certain essential oils that work for healing scrapes will be obtained with proper healing methods. Using these oils improperly will instead result in skin irritation that may worsen the scrape and cuts appearance. Different ways of using the oils can be done based on your wound severity and needs.
1. Disinfecting scrapes
To disinfect the scrapes, you may use some drops of tea tree, lemon, or peppermint oil diluted with ½ cup witch hazel and 2 tablespoon aloe vera gel. Wipe the scrapes off with this solution to eliminate germs and bacteria.
2. Reducing itch
You can use peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil to reduce itch caused by scrape irritation. Add some drops of the oils into ½ cup distilled water and a teaspoon aloe vera gel to make anti-itch spray. You can spray the solution onto the wound site right after it starts scabbing. During this time, extreme itch might be experienced and this spray will significantly reduce it, so that it inhibits your urge to scratch the scrapes that may end up in scaring.
3. Healing scrape site
Helichrysum, clove, and rosemary oil have a powerful property in healing wound site caused by scrapes. Mixing the oil with shea butter and coconut oil will reduce their potent effect, making sure they are less irritable. Once you melt the shea butter and add the oil drops, you will acquire a creamy white mixture that can be used as an effective ointment for scrape healing. Apply it regularly after disinfecting the wound site to speed up the healing process.