What is the best immediate first aid treatment for a scraped knee?

The best immediate first aid treatment for a scraped knee involves cleaning the wound thoroughly to prevent infection. Washing it with soap and water effectively removes dirt, debris, and bacteria from the surface of the skin. This step is crucial as it minimizes the risk of infection, which can occur if the scrape is not properly cleaned.

While applying antibiotic ointment is beneficial after cleaning the wound, it is not the immediate first step. Covering the scrape with a bandage is important for protection but should come after the wound is cleaned to avoid trapping any dirt. Icing the injury may help reduce swelling or pain in injuries involving deeper tissue damage or sprains, but it is not necessary for a simple scrape. Thus, cleaning the scrape is the priority in first aid.