What characterizes an abrasion?

An abrasion is characterized by being a superficial scrape on the skin, which results from friction or rubbing against a rough surface. This type of injury typically affects only the outermost layer of skin, known as the epidermis, and may not involve deeper tissue layers. It commonly presents as red or raw areas and may be painful, but it usually does not cause significant bleeding since the underlying blood vessels in the dermis are not deeply affected.

In contrast, a full-thickness wound would penetrate through all layers of the skin, including the dermis and possibly deeper tissues. A puncture wound is a specific type of injury caused by a pointed object penetrating through the skin, while a laceration with jagged edges refers to a tear or cut in the skin that often involves deeper tissue damage. Both of those types of wounds are more extensive and complex than an abrasion.