9 Signs of an Infected Cut or Scrape You Should Never Ignore

There are particles still stuck in your skin

Depending on the circumstance that caused your scrape, such as falling on gritty pavement, it’s possible that small particles could have gotten lodged in the affected area. It’s critical to remove any particles or dirt from your wound immediately, during the cleansing process, according to Sonoa Au, MD, of Advanced Dermatology, P.C. in New York and New Jersey, or you could have an infected cut. “However,” she adds, “if you find that you have to dig at your skin to get rid of anything that’s stuck, see a doctor instead.” Don’t assume that scrubbing away at your skin is helpful or that dirt will work its way out—and definitely don’t make these other dangerous first aid mistakes. When in doubt, have a medical professional thoroughly clean and assess your scrape or cut.