How to Treat Carpet Burns

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD

Carpet burns are abrasions on the skin caused by friction against a rough surface. Luckily, most cases of carpet burn can be treated easily at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Treating the Wound Immediately

1
Wash your hands before treating the carpet burn. The burn has damaged the skin, which is the body's first line of defense. Carpet burns and abrasions can become infected if bacteria gets inside them. If the wound does get infected, then
2
Clean the burned area. Wash it gently with a clean washcloth using warm water and antibacterial soap. Be sure to remove any visible dirt or debris. This helps to prevent any infection.

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3
Disinfect the wound. You need to disinfect the wound to guard against infection. Use iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or an antiseptic if there are signs of dirt in the abrasion, or if any bleeding areas are deep. Soak a cotton ball in iodine, peroxide, or antiseptic and carefully dab it on the burn. All of these products may cause some pain when you apply them.
- Alcohol can inflict pain and cause harm, so avoid using it.
4
Apply an antibacterial cream to the injured area. Smear some Neosporin or another ointment on the carpet burn.
- Check the burn for any deeper damage, like cuts or lacerations. These might need medical attention if they are serious.
5
Cover the burn with gauze or an adhesive bandage. Cover the area loosely with a bandage. Remove the bandage and check the burn in 24 hours. If the surface of the skin has started to scab or form a crust, the burn will heal best if left uncovered and exposed to the air. Put a fresh bandage back on for another 24 hours if the skin is still red and raw and crusting has not started yet.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Healing the Burn

1
Run cold water over it. If the burn is hot and painful, try running some cool water over the injured area. Try running cool water over the carpet burn for five to 10 minutes every hour or two.
- Do not apply ice or butter to a burn.^{[1]
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2
Don't wear clothing over the burn. Fabrics can irritate the burn. If you have to wear clothes over the burn, cover it with gauze or a bandage first.^{[2]
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3
Keep the area dry. Try to keep the burn free from moisture. Moisture encourages bacteria to breed. Dry the skin with a cotton ball if it becomes wet.
- If the rug burn is oozing, don't wipe it away and further irritate the burn. Instead, remove the gauze or bandage and allow the wound to air dry.
- If the burn is oozing pus or blood, see a doctor immediately.
4
Cover the carpet burn in aloe. Apply some aloe onto the burn to help speed up the healing process. Aloe comes in many forms: spray, gel, liquid, lotion, and cream. You can also get aloe directly from the plant, which is the strongest form. Just cut off a small portion and squeeze the inside gel onto the burn.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
5
Try honey. Spread some honey over the carpet burn. This can provide relief from itching and help speed up healing.
6
Make a paste from marigold flowers and parsley leaves. Crush some marigold flowers and parsley leaves and mix them together to make a paste. Spread the paste over the wound to help heal the burn.
7
Make a turmeric paste. Turmeric has been proven to stimulate skin regeneration and clean wounds. Mixing 1/4 of a teaspoon (1 ml) of turmeric powder with one teaspoon (5 ml) of cocoa butter. Apply the paste to the area three times a day.^{[4]
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Research source}
8
Use essential oils. Different essential oils can help the healing process. Lavender is known to help healing with its regenerative and antiseptic properties. It can also help relieve the pain. Thyme also has regenerative and antiseptic properties.
- Apply two to three drops of essential oil to gauze and press it to the burn. Change the gauze two to three times a day.
- You can also clean the wound with five or six drops of essential oil diluted in a cup of water.
9
Avoid lotions, oils, and powders. Some products can cause further harm to the carpet burn. You should avoid lotions, powders, oils, sunscreen, and alcohol on the carpet burn.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
10
Increase your vitamins. Increasing your vitamins can help boost your healing. Up your intake of vitamin C to boost your immune system and protect you from bacteria. Eat more citrus fruit, strawberries, broccoli, and tomatoes. Take a daily vitamin C supplement if your diet is lacking.
- Eat more foods high in vitamin E. These foods include milk, eggs, whole grains, spinach, and asparagus. Vitamin E is high in antioxidants, which helps the body heal.
11
Watch the burn for signs of infection. If you develop any signs of infection, or the wound doesn't heal, see your doctor. Signs include increased redness and tenderness, pus seeping from the wound, a red rash developing that spreads up from the wound, tenderness in the armpits or groin, or fever.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What is the best moisturizer for healed skin?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

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Any moisturizer with Ceramide as its base is great at protecting healed skin. Ceramide is a protein that helps your skin retain moisture, which will help the healed skin stay safe. Shea butter is another good option, but keep in mind that it's nut-based and you cannot use it if you're allergic to nuts. Glycerin-based lotions are solid options as well. Plain old petroleum jelly can do a good job at protecting skin and keeping it moisturized.
Question

Do you apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for a carpet burn?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

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No! These harsh products will damage your skin further. Focus on soothing and healing your carpet burn.
Question

I have experienced a carpet burn on my knee. It is pinkish red and I can't bend my knee. What should I do?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

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As the article states, you should wash it out and put a ointment and a bandage over the carpet burn.

Warnings

You shouldn't treat a rug burn with ice, baby oil, butter, lotion, or powder.

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Skin that is scabbing and healing from a carpet burn is often itchy. Avoid scratching it or picking at the scabs, which will delay the healing process and could cause infection.

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Pay close attention to the wound if you have diabetes, as this can decrease your immune and healing response.

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