Simple wound healing....

[limewave]

Periodic soaks in very warm saline solution can also help.

I agree with this. I can't believe how much faster my wounds heal when I do a salt and baking soda bath.

[Catrin]

I agree with this. I can't believe how much faster my wounds heal when I do a salt and baking soda bath.

I will do this - while the rate of new wounds to miles on the bike is finally decreasing, I still get at least one new one a week. Perhaps I should just make this part of my weekend routine

I could also consider this an incentive to finally moving to clipless pedals - as these days most of the wounds are from the BMX pedals walloping me....

[badger]

a couple of years ago I wiped out when I went over the handlebar when I hit a nasty pothole. The back pack strap rubbed a couple of layers of skin off on my chest under the collarbone. I really didn't want a scar there (and I scar very easily).

I babied it like nothing else with tea tree oil to prevent infection, slathered on pure shea butter, then kept it under sterile gauze until it wasn't scabby anymore (about 10 days). It was much more comfortable without my skin shrinking, and in the end it didn't leave a scar.

[zia]

When I was nursing, I used Lancinot (pure lanolin) often, and have continued using it even though my nursing days are well behind me. I prefer it to using topical antibiotics. Keeps the area nice and more, and apparently helps your cells regenerate faster. I am insanely allergic to goats. I was a little worried lamb products would bother me, but I haven't had a problem.

[malkin]

I'm a big fan of neosporin and then of that green stuff from Burt's Bees.

My granny had some really nasty goop that she smeared on us for just about anything. I know how we said it, but have no idea how it is/was spelled.

[Catrin]

The Neosporin doesn't seem to be working - though it isn't getting worse and there are no signs of infection. I guess I will talk with the pharmacist to see if they know what the bandage is that tctrek mentioned. It has been almost 3 weeks - and it isn't a very large place at all - but all of the skin came off (chain ring bite).

Am starting to think that my chain ring is a vampire...

[Owlie]

Garlic.

[withm]

The Neosporin doesn't seem to be working - though it isn't getting worse and there are no signs of infection. I guess I will talk with the pharmacist to see if they know what the bandage is that tctrek mentioned. It has been almost 3 weeks - and it isn't a very large place at all - but all of the skin came off (chain ring bite).

Am starting to think that my chain ring is a vampire...

Well without seeing the wound it would be hard for anyone here to make good recommendations. I recently injured my finger resulting in several deep gouges out of it. I used these and they seemed to help a lot.

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/sh...new_crumb=true

In general keeping wounds moist makes them heal better/faster with less scarring. Letting them dry out makes for painful scabs, and prone to picking, thus delaying healing. Keep them moist and covered is the better choice.

But as a diabetic, if your wound is already 3 weeks old, and not healing (or just slow to heal due to depth or size of wound?) you should probably consult a medical professional. Do not mess around with this. GO. TO. DR. I know too many people that have lost toes and/or feet due to this.

My experience with pharmacists is that they are very familiar with Rx drugs, but no so current or knowedgeable on OTC offerings. YMMV.