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I won't call it road rash because it happened on the mtb trail :) Anyway, I have some on my shoulder and a couple of other places. Is it better to cover it or leave it open?
I've the idea that it is best to clean it, which I've done, put antibiotic cream on it but to leave it open to the air. These are not large spots - the area on my shoulder is the largest and is about the size of a large egg.
I was in the ER two weeks ago after a crash and while I had sutures in my elbow and was told to keep that covered, she just told me to clean the road rash on my leg and didn't tell me to cover it. Didn't tell me to keep it uncovered, but didn't tell me to cover it either. That may, or may not, be of any help to you. :)
Thanks, this is helpful. My thought was the rash probably isn't deep enough into the skin to present a real danger of infection, and frankly, it feels better being open. It also isn't THAT bad, that is probably where it helped that it happened on a dusty trail rather than pavement ;) So since the ER wasn't concerned about it either way, then neither will I.Quote:
Originally Posted by Possegal
I hope you have recovered from your crash? It doesn't sound like it was much fun.
For me, I'd cover it to keep dirt out (like when gardening) and leave it open when in a relatively clean place (like most of my house most of the time).
My understanding is that that type of skin abrasion will heal more quickly and with less chance of a scar if it is kept moist and covered.
Yes I too have heard not to let wounds get dry scabs on them as they will scar more.
All my road rash has always been dressed whn I went to the clinic. Exception was the road rash on my face- that got eye ointment put on it (which is an antibiotic).
Thanks, I will check it out. It isn't that large of an area compared to what it could have been so I am thankful. There are a couple of areas though...I will check out CVS on the way home later today.
Another vote for Tegaderm.
A thin smear of raw honey and Tegaderm to cover. If you let the wound scab, then every time you move the scabs will pull open (even microscopic pulls) and the whole thing will take that much longer to heal.
I got the Tagaderm, put it on before my gym class with the help of a teammate, and it was rolling off before things were over. It was a very hard workout with lots of sweating - perhaps too much for the stuff?
I've poured disgusting amounts of sweat out from under a strip of Tegaderm :rolleyes: - sweat is the main reason I don't often get more than a day out of a dressing. I'm guessing either you had it under an item of clothing that rubbed it loose, or it just wasn't watertight to begin with. Maybe a speck of whatever you put on the wound got under the edge.
I didn't have clothing over it, but it may not have been quite watertight. The two areas are on the front side of my shoulder and the top bend of my elbow (not the back). The skin there moves a lot, which created creases and...I just couldn't get it flat and stay that way. I did wash off the antibiotic cream and dried it well before application.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I won't waste any more of the expensive dressing on this- especially since I don't have anyone here to help me apply it. I am NOT very good with using my left hand. One of the remaining 2 dressings will go into my mtb first aid kit that lives in my hydration pack.
I hear ya. My stitches were on my elbow and I sure wish my cats were more helpful when it came to bandaging it up. :) One of my coworkers did a lot of bandage changing for me, and even took out the stitches (pays to work with a bunch of nurse practitioners) :) My sister took care of it when we were together, but there were a lot of evenings of me trying to bandage it up using my left hand and my chin or nose.
If the Tegaderm won't stay on by itself, slap a larger piece of Hypafix over the whole mess. It's very sticky, stretchy, and super-breathable. I use Hypafix to keep my infusion sites and glucose sensors in place, even during intense workouts in hot, humid weather- I literally trust my life to it.
I usually just use a Band-Aid or non stick bandage with first aid tape, with Aquaphor on the wound because I'm allergic to antibiotic ointment.
I started getting some bleeding from one of the rash sites - apparently it is easily aggravated. I DID manage to find a really large bandaid that will cover the abrasion so it is now covered - though the one on my shoulder is still open.
I prefer using the Tagaderm, but I just couldn't get it on there well enough to really stick/be waterproof since it is on the top bend of my elbow. Oh well, I have the stuff now for future use. I will just have to remember it doesn't seem to work well for use on the skin over an upper limb joint. At least not for me with a single hand application.