Should I allow moist or dry healing for a scraped knee.

[Tennis_Chic]

I scraped my knee playing tennis. I cleaned it with mild soap/water, applied neosporin and bandaged it. Around day 5 I let it get air (no neosporin or bandage) and a scab began to form. When this happened, the area felt tight/constricted and limited my movement. THEN I read that wounds are best when kept moist during the healing process. I started using the ointment again and bandage to regain moisture. Now (day 12), the scab is moist but looks yellow. No oozing or drainage. I did have very small clean drainage in the 1st week  which I felt was normal. I think because I allowed the scab to form initially, the added moisture turn the dark brown scab to yellow. Wondering is this is normal or should I revert back to dry healing?

[specialmom]

I think if you had kept it covered all along, it would have been fine.  I've got a son with stitches in his knee currently and we have tried not to let a scab form on the stitches per doctors orders.  We cover it.

But backhurtz also gives good advice.  I have actually been told that putting Vaseline on it also works to keep bacteria out.  It's easier than you think to get a staph infection which my kids have done and it is not fun when that happens.  So, protect it. If it feels hot to the touch now, go to the doctor as you may already have infection.  good luck

[backhurtz]

Yellow or oozing is not good. The neosporin could be applied but leave the scrape open to air. Prolonged moist environments allow bacteria to grow.

[RosalindV]

I've had two bad scrapes on the same shin. Moist is good to prevent scarring so it's what I've always done. Has it fallen off yet? The color might just be part of the process and nothing to worry about.

[Tennis_Chic]

I have pictures showing the wound transition.