Road Rash Complications - Options Now?

[RoadRaven]

MrS
I wonder about your woollen suits you allluded to in another thread irritating the rash...

When my son crashed a few weeks ago, the nurse recommended Vasoline petroleum jelly to prevent scabs from going hard - but that was NOT for deep road rash.

When I had my first major crash a couple of years ago, the doctor put some sticky dressing on - it sounds a bit like the secondSkin Withm describes.

I don't know its medical name as I buy it from the chemist by the half metre, and not in a labeled box.

I've described it here before, and someone knew the name for it in America...

But its like breathable, extra-wide tape. You stick it over the whole rash area and it stays there - through sleep, through showers. The scab forms and heals underneath and in a coupe of weeks you take it off - using baby oil to ensure it doesn't undo the healing. The brand new skin will be very sensitive to sun initially, so be careful you don't burn it.
No scarring... it was amazing (hence why I always keep it in the house now and use it for all grazes and scratches my sons bring home!)

Good healing, MrS

[Tri Girl]

No advice to give, but I just had to say OUCHIE MOMMA!!!
Read about your wipeout the other day, and felt so bad for you. Now having seen what it's morphed into has taken me to a whole new level of sympathy!
I hope you heal quickly!!!!

[Dianyla]

In addition to the aforementioned Spenco Second Skin, also look for Tegaderm by 3M, it's a fairly good occlusive dressing. Hopefully you won't have any allergic reaction to the dressing material.

And, seconding the suggestions for sea salt soaks. Add non-iodized sea salt to water at a ratio of 1 teaspoon per quart of water.

[ChickWithBrains]

I know you're likely healed by now, but...

You *had* other topical antibiotic choices. Silvadene, usually used for burns, can't be used on the face.

Bactroban (mupirocin), safe even with bacitracin allergy.

Topical benadryl is absorbed systemically, so if you're taking it orally be careful -- if you're putting the cream/ointment over a large area the cumulative dose can be hefty and make you pretty drowsy.

Keeping these clean and covered helps with cosmetic results. How'd it turn out?

[Mr. Bloom]

Thanks for the late advice...I'm sure I'll have other opportunities to apply wisdom to road rash!

How did it turn out?

Today - nearly 3 weeks later - it's totally healed. The injury actually healed quickly. The allergic reaction took nearly two weeks to heal and even spread to other parts of my body...including the same places on the other leg!

What finally got me over the top on the itchy rash?

Well, besides removing the allergen (bacitracin and the bandage adhesives), I used:

Coal Tar Shampoo...Yep, I got high concentration coal tar shampoo - the kind that's used for dandruff and seborrheic dematitis - applied it straight to the allergic rash with a Q-Tip for about 10 minutes at a time (avoiding the new skin at first). This caused an effoliation that really relieved the itching and scaling and gave me relief almost immediately.

For the future, I'm going to have a couple of tubes of brave soldier on hand. In reviewing the ingredients, the base of tea tree oil (which definitely helped me in this one) makes be willing to drop a few $ in preparation for the next incident.

[Hammer]

I didn't look at your picture either... I have my own roadrash to admire. And wounds with stitches. But, 3 weeks to heal... even with your allergic reaction? That's not too bad. That's great that you're healing so well!!

I have a cracked clavicle, I can't reach my itchy scratches. I was thinking that eventually when it heals a little more, I might try using a little aloe.

My stitches come out next Friday. We'll see how it goes then.

I hope that you continue to heal and I hope that you never need to worry about this again!!!

Though, if you crash again... I'm on #2... My friends suggest a safer hobby like skateboarding or the rollerderby.

[Mr. Bloom]

SilverChiropractor (a serious cyclist) says with proper nutrition and nurturing, road rash can heal in 5 to 7 days. BUT, he also admits going 25,000 miles without a fall!!!

BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY:

Hammer, OMG!!!!

I just found your ride/crash report. Sorry for a late response, but WOW!

We finished the last bit to our town in an ambulance. The emergency crew had to take our bikes back to the rest stop we'd past so that the SAG wagon could pick them up and take them to our last destiantion. We couldn't get them, because by the time we got there, the bikes were locked in a truck. Our friends said the bikes were fine. Our friends also said that the ride wasn't 100 miles, but actually 106.

Anyway. I ended up with 8 stitches in my elbow, 2 in my knee and a cracked collarbone. I did pass out in the examining room after they put the collar on me. My fiance was there.

Sounds like you were fortunate. I surely don't want to put my minor problem in the same category as yours.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

[Hammer]

Thank you... I didn't want to hijack your thread!!! My wounds are healing pretty well. They aren't really oozing anymore. It's only been a few days and we still see progression. I've been sleeping more and trying to eat well too...

Part of me thinks I'll go back to running for awhile, but yet I am thinking about when I can get back on my bike too. My spirit must not be down too much.