Does anyone have some "anti-battle-scar" healing methods??

Okay okay okay

I feel obligated now to post.

Being a member of BME (bmezine.com) for quite awhile and actually witnessing/watching abrasion scarification/cautery scarification, etc for art, I feel a need to post now about what goes into scarification (from my experience).

Now, I say 'from my experience' because this goes against some of what I've just read on this thread, but the basis of scarification is purposely prolonging the healing time of injuries to the dermal layers. For shallow abrasions, you generally don't need to worry too much about scarring. Clean it well and flush it out with saline to remove debris which will lead to infection (thus prolonging the healing time) and use triple antibiotic. I like the seran-wrap idea- it's used in tattooing where scars=blurred or otherwise poor work- but I'd only use it for a few days, while it's really lymphing.
Keep it dry and let it breathe. Occasionally dab triple antibiotic on the scab to keep it soft and pliable so it won't get caught on things and get torn off. Shearing the scab will lead to the distruction of the delicate new dermal cells being put in place, which will tell the body that this area needs something tougher- generally a more crinkly scar tissue.
Once the tender pink skin is in place, start using vitamin E oil and Siberian oil.

Gaping cuts are another matter. If they gape even when pulling the edges taut and don't close by themselves, you might need stitches. Stitches will scar, unless (once closed!) you use Vit. E. I think J&J has some scar reducing strips based on static electricity (?) to reduce scars... cuts need to be babied, esp. if you have a tendency toward keloids.

Bacteria love oils and the anaerobic environment oils can produce in a wound. This is why oils shan't be used on open cuts, burns, or new piercings.

If you're one of those gnarly mtb chicks who wears scars as a badge of honor,
take your road rash or deep but not gapey cut and scrub it well with a *CLEAN* toothbrush, bristles loaded with hydrogen peroxide. Yes it will burn and hurt and maybe make you cry, but the abrasion, combined with the foaming action of the peroxide will help flush debris. After that, flush well with saline. Continue to periodically remove the scab tissue and abrade the healing tissues.
Eventually, the wound *will* heal, and you'll have a pink scar, which will fade to white over time.

Sorry to write a book, but relying on what I know from experience, I thought I'd share.

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Originally Posted by Geonz

Okay, what do you mean scrub? How do you scrub an open wound?

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For me, this wasn't as grotesque as it sounds. But it was bad enough. The wound was really dirty, because I'd fallen on sidewalk and scraped the skin off. First I rinsed it with water, then cut away the frayed edges with a nail clipper I'd cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Then I used wet cotton pads with a bit of soap to get the dirt out. I wanted to puke. I can take care of other peoples' wounds, but my own make me feel really pukey. But I thought, "You can do it, Lise, or you can go to the ER. And won't you feel stupid going to the ER for an infected boo-boo?" So I kept at it until there was no more visible dirt. I think at some point I used a clean, alcohol-rinsed tooth brush. Then I rinsed it again with water, applied pressure where it was still bleeding, put some triple antibiotic ointment on a sterile pad, covered the wound, and wrapped my leg in tape to keep it in place. I may have rinsed it with hydrogen peroxide, too. I've heard in the past year that this actually causes more trauma...can't remember if I learned this before that fall and restrained myself or not.

I don't know that this was the best way to do it, but I knew I had to get the dirt and dead skin out before it got infected.

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Originally Posted by annie

I crashed a couple years ago...... landed mostly on my face. :( So the saran wrap wasn't an option). :rolleyes:
annie

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The image I got after reading this line just cracked me up. Thanks for that, Annie!

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Originally Posted by Geonz

Okay, what do you mean scrub? How do you scrub an open wound?

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One Lise described -- the initial wound cleaning. Nice thing about having this done at the ER (as opposed to doing it yourself) is that they'll numb the site (so you won't feel them digging around in there. This is extremely useful for road rash because you typically get little bits of dirt and sand and stone embedded in your skin which can cause scarring or infection. My ER docs missed one little stone so now I have a black mark on my shoulder.

The second type of scrubbing is the daily cleansing scrub. I just used a net shower sponge. I know folks who've used loofah or sea sponges or even dobie pads. The purpose is to keep the surface clean and free of bacteria and to also slough off any shedding skin.

That second part was even harder. When I fell, I was about 5 blocks from home. I limped home, both knees and palms scraped up. The left knee was by far the worst. It was still naturally somewhat numb from the fall, so it was easier to cleanse. But after that, it hurt. Cleaning out the waste products as it healed was really painful. I can't even remember what I did--I may have used hydrogen peroxide a few times, even though I know you're not supposed to anymore--and then rinsed with warm water, cut away any more bits of dead tissue.

I had considered going to the ER for the initial debridement, but knew I'd sit there for hours, and feel really stupid for going in for a big scrape. I said to myself, "Lise, you're a nurse. Just do it." I'm not sure this is always the best approach, but it worked for me this time! All I have is a little bit of pinkness, still, where I landed. But no scarring.

What about flushing it under the tub faucet? (I was fortunate enough to be wearing long sleeves for my One Big Dump... deep gouges in my elbow but the gravel wasn't *in* there.) I just don't know whether I"d have the courage to scrub... though the thought of infection is highly motivating.

(Going on TE diet now...)

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Originally Posted by Geonz

I just don't know whether I"d have the courage to scrub... though the thought of infection is highly motivating.

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That's what friends are for, right?