Treat road rash skin#
I once knew someone that had a rock under their skin from a wound and they’d move the rock around…it could be a fun party joke, but otherwise, it’s not necessary – get it out. Leaving this stuff in could lead to infection or weirdness as you heal. It’s unpleasant, but you need to get all dirt and debris out of the wound. Step 1:Ĭlean the impacted area, like really clean it. Also, if you haven’t received a tetanus shot or booster within the past 10 years, consider visiting your doctor to get the booster. Never underestimate your injuries, especially if you suspect broken bones. Step-By-Step Guide to Treating Cuts, Scrapes and Road Rash Note: if your wounds are really deep, bleeding profusely or cover a large part of your body, consider seeking medical attention either at a first-aid station (if racing) or the ER. This conversation led me to do some investigation into the easiest, and best way to care for this type of wounds. Intuitively, I would keep it uncovered during the day to allow air in to speed healing, but what do I know?! My first thought was to find a plantain leaf and apply tea tree oil. It’s all about moisture (anti-bacterial ointment) and getting the big bandaids (because they don’t stick like gauze does) and keeping it covered. This stuff is common in mountain biking I guess.
The next day we went to the bike shop and were told the real way to care for these injuries. At least that should keep the sheets clean during slumber. A little duct tape to secure the end and we were set. It was like ground beef! I carefully covered the weepy wounds with gauze and secured them with the self-sticking wrap. I almost threw up dealing with the deep wound on the knee. Let’s just say I got confirmation that that was not a career path for me. $10 later, I was satisfied with my purchases. I attempted to duplicate what was currently protecting the wounds, so ended up with gauze dressing (the thicker stuff to handle moderate weeping – which we had) and wrap to hold the gauze in place. Gauze pads, gauze dressing, wrap, tape, bandaids, self-sticking, no-stick….not to mention three or four brands of each. I stood there, helpless almost, trying to figure out what we needed. On the way home from the race, we stopped at our local Walgreens to get supplies.
Treat road rash how to#
But then we got home and realized neither of us knew how to properly care for these things. Luckily there was a first aid tent, so someone with experience could clean up the bloody, dirty, dusty woulds and bandage him up. Suffice it to say he crashed twice, ending the race with two bloody legs, ripped shorts, a bloody hip, frustration and pain. The corners were slick, it was dusty and dry and he was racing a cyclocross bike on terrain better suited for a mountain bike. It was a race in a bike park, with lots of corners and a downhill curvy and bumpy section called a corkscrew. This one isn’t so much personal, as it’s my husband who’s sitting up in his office right now without pants on (sorry for the mental image) because his wounds from Wednesday night’s bike race/crash-fest has left him in some serious pain. This week, we’re talking wounds because of mountain biking. I’m not just talking about bikes or small scratches, I’m talking about it-hurts-to-wear-clothes, can’t-bend-my-knee, wound-is-seeping-pus and must-buy-more-guaze types of cuts, scrapes and road rash.Īs you probably expect, many of my posts come from personal experience – things I’m going through, have just learned or am trying to figure out myself. Ever fall off a bike? Scrape yourself on a rock? Get the lawn mower too close to a tree? You know, these things happen, no matter how careful we are. It’s summertime (Hallelujah!) and with that comes an increased risk of injury.