Grazes occur when some of the skin's surface is scraped off. Rinse away any dirt and wash the area carefully. A plaster will be enough if the graze is superficial, dry and OK once cleaned. Deep and painful grazes need a sticking plaster or standard dressing: place a compress over the graze and secure it with a gauze bandage and/or suture tape. NB! Swelling and redness around the graze are signs of infection, as are localized hotness and throbbing pain. Contact a doctor if a child has a graze and feels unwell and also has a temperature.