Sores or abrasions caused by scratching or scraping the skin are known as?

Sores or abrasions caused by scratching or scraping the skin are referred to as excoriations. This term specifically describes the act of damaging the skin by either mechanical means, such as scratching, or by a physical injury. Excoriations typically present as raw, irritated areas where the surface of the skin has been disrupted, which can often be seen in conditions where itching prompts a person to scratch.

The other terms listed refer to different skin conditions. A papule is a small, raised, solid pimple or swelling that can vary in color and is typically less than 1 cm in diameter. Lesions refer to any abnormal change in the structure of skin or mucous membranes, which can encompass a wide variety of skin issues, including excoriations themselves. Infection implies the presence of pathogens in the body causing disease, which may or may not be associated with sores but does not specifically describe the mechanical cause of abrasions. Therefore, excoriation is the most accurate term for describing sores resulting from scratching or scraping the skin.