Abrasions – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A corneal abrasion is a painful scrape or scratch of the surface of the clear part of the eye. This clear tissue of the eye is known as the cornea. This transparent window covers the iris, the circular colored portion of the eye. The cornea has many nerve endings just under the surface, so that any disruption of the surface may be painful.

A scratch, cut or minor injury on the cornea. The cornea is the clear layer at the front of the eyeball that has a protective function. The cornea can be injured by such things as dirt or sand getting in the eye or even vigorous rubbing of the eye. Corneal abrasions may be very painful and can cause symptoms such as tearing, blurred vision and headaches.

A corneal abrasion heals by the movement of neighboring epithelial cells, which slide over the wounded area, and through a cell division process called mitosis, which fill in the abraded area with new epithelial cells. Within two to three days of trauma to the cornea, these new cells start to adhere to the underlying membrane of the epithelium, called the basement membrane and within seven to eight days the abraded area usually heals completely without scarring.

Causes

Injury to the cornea or the imbedding in the cornea of a foreign body, such as a small piece of steel, sand or glass. A bacterial infection may follow the injury. Use of contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses. Complications of the virus, herpes simplex, that produces cold sores on the mouth and can affect the eye. Infections of the eyelids and conjunctiva. Defective closure of the lid. Smoking or other environmental eye irritants.

Symptoms

Corneal abrasions and foreign bodies usually cause pain, tearing, and a feeling that there is something in the eye. They may also cause redness (due to bleeding from blood vessels on the surface of the eye) or, occasionally, swelling of the eye and eyelid. Vision may become blurred. Light may be a source of irritation or may cause the muscle that constricts the pupil to undergo a painful spasm.

Injuries that penetrate the eye may cause similar symptoms. If a foreign object penetrates the inside of the eye, fluid may gush out.

Tea Tree Oil is very effective for cleaning abrasions and healing. Just take a bowl and add 4 drops of tea tree oil and 1 cup of warm water and wash the abrasion with this mixture 3 times a day. Marigolds are wonderful to have growing as they are great for abrasions. All you have to do is take some flowers of the marigold and crush them then apply to the abrasion. Apply Aloe Vera gel on the affected part, as it acts as a soothing home remedy for Skin Abrasion.

Treatment for Abrasions

Conventional treatment of abrasions and road rash included treating the area by cleaning the wound with mild soap and water or a mild antiseptic wash like hydrogen peroxide, and then covering the area with an antibiotic ointment and a dry dressing. However, it has been found that the use of antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide may actually cause harm to the tissue and interfere with the healing process.