Road Rash

[annie]

Help! Anyone have a really good cure for road rash? Any ointments, creams, etc. that you've used that have done a good job of healing quickly and leaving minimal to no scarring?

Unfortunately, I had a close encounter with a car today. It almost didn't stop at a stop sign. I had to do a major swerve to avoid being hit and ended up hitting the curb instead. (Better than the car!) I knew I was going to hit, even TRIED to jump the curb, but it's a double curb there and I couldn't get high enough. Anyway, the bike stopped, my body kept going, I did an endo over the bars and slid for a ways on the left side of my face. Next thing I knew, I was at the hospital. I do NOT remember calling my husband to get me. I don't remember driving to the hospital. Weird! I guess I was lucky, no broken bones, no concussion. Just this awful, visible road rash. My chin and cheek are raw, my lips are swollen. I am an icky-looking mess! Explaining this to people in the next few days is going to get awfully repetitive! I work in an elementary school. The kids comments should be interesting, don't you think?

They sent me home with neosporin ointment. The nurse suggested I buy vitamin-e capsules, cut them open, and mix the vitamin-e with the ointment and that it helps promote faster healing and less scarring. So I am doing that. But I wondered if anyone here who's experienced road rash has heard of that or if they have something better. I really would like to be healed by the Christmas holidays. Thanks for any advice!

[Veronica]

Use your accident to try to convince the kids at your school to always wear a helmet that fits and is buckled. Sorry I can't give you any advice about the road rash, other than stay out of the sun, but I'm sending good vibes your way for a speedy recovery.

Veronica

[Steph_in_TX]

My husband just had a similar crash...only he hit a rock he didn't see...broke his right wrist and tore ligaments in his left hand...plus road rash. He had a nasty looking area on his chin and he just kept an antibiotic ointment on it at all times. I recently read an article that said to keep wounds covered to promote healing and less scarring...said scabs prevent new skin growth and can make scars worse. He didn't keep it covered with a bandage, only the ointment, but it seemed to do the trick. He used the Band Aid brand, but the one you have should work, too. It healed within a week and you can't even tell he did it. Too bad the cast has to stick around for 4 more weeks!!

Glad you weren't hurt any worse!

[Dogmama]

Ouch! Neosporin has an ointment that also has a pain reducer. It helps a little. Watch it very very closely. ALL of my road rashes have become infected (imagine what's on that road that is now embedded in your skin? Too much information?) Keep it clean and keep it covered with ointment. I've always kept mine covered (per doctor's orders) but they've been in places that can have a bandage, like arms & legs.

Did they give you a tetnus (sp? it's early!) shot? If not and it's been over ten years since your last one, get one.

Road rash will fade, but it takes time. I had a really nasty one on the back of my arm - took about six months but the red finally went away. I don't know about any creams, etc., that make it fade faster. If it's on my face, I think I'd see a dermatologist before I started experimenting around.

[annie]

Hey,

Thank you all for responding!!! Some good comments and good advice and empathy. I expected no less from this site. What wonderful women you are. I feel like I have long-distance friends here.

Veronica, I had actually thought about making sure the kids know I had a helmet on without which I wouldn't be back at school today and most likely still in the hospital. I went back to the scene to check it out ......... lots of blood (ick!) and the wooden post that my head ran into to stop my forward slide. There could be a dent in my head without a helmet. Not that I would EVER ride without one, but kids need to know how important a helmet can be.

Steph, I can guarantee mine won't heal in a week. Maybe some of the smaller scrapes, but my chin is one raw mess. I suspect months till it's all gone, if even then. I'm glad your husband's healed well. I feel very lucky that I didn't break anything. Hope his bones heal fast, also.

Kim, We'll probably have matching chins now. Can you believe it? What's the karma there? This is certainly going to be a lesson for any vanity that I might have. I have to admit, I dread going out in public and being seen like this. But I'm going! I'll be at work today and teaching spin tonight. Can't hide out at home. It's not me. ------ Longer e-mail coming soon......

DM, I am worried about infection! That'll slow down the healing process, I know. When I was at the hospital, the nurse used a scrub brush to clean my face of all the debris that she could see. Sounds like fun, huh? She had put on some type of numbing cream first so it was bearable. When I got home and checked it out in the mirror (scary!) I found a couple little pieces of stuff and got them out. From here on, besides staying smeared with antibiotic ointment, I am going to make a huge effort NOT to touch my face at all unless my hands are really clean. I am also going to check in with my regular doctor and see what he has to say. Then, when it's starting to heal more, I plan to go to the dermatologist and talk to him about scarring and discoloration. I know, in time, it will be okay, it's just this initial period that is going to suck! It will give me an appreciation for people who actually have real disabilities that others stare at and bother them about.
Oh, and yes, they gave me a tetanus shot. So I have a sore left arm along with my face today. I know, better that than the alternative!

I've gone on long enough here. Thanks again for everyones advice and concern. I am off to work. Can't wait....

[MightyMitre]

Annie - sorry to hear about your accident. Sounds horrible!

Very glad to hear you're ok but how did you bike come off? Also, don't want to be an old fuss and I'm sure you will, but make sure you replace your before you ride again. Even a small knock can reduce it's effectiveness. Some companies like Giro like you to send them to them so they can study how they stood up.

Anyway, road rash - a cycling friend of mine recommended trying Preparation H. I don't know if you have it in the US but over here its... wait for it... haemoroid(sp) or piles cream!!! Sound ick - but apparently it worked well - good for healing the skin etc.

Also he advised trying to keep it soft and supple so you don't get scabs which with the best will in the world, are just too tempting to pick.

Good thinking to get plenty of visits to the doc to check on the progress

Hope it heals up quickly...

[Trek420]

"Annie - sorry to hear about your accident. Sounds horrible! Very glad to hear you're basicly ok , heal up quickly... and....get a good lawyer!!

Meanwhile for your boo boos, this stuff is even available through TE

http://www.teamestrogen.com/se_bravesoldier.html[/url]

I've heard their crash kits are good. Also wait till waay after lunch... on the brave soldier website they have a road rash gallery. Annie you can tell us which one is comparable to you "gals check out .jpg # XXXXXXX, it's JUST like my chin"

[newfsmith]

This is a really good article on care of road rash. Be sure to click for the 2nd page to get to the directions for using tegaderm. I've used them on rash on my knees. They healed well.
http://www.velonews.com/train/articles/3909.1.html

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Trek420
"Annie - sorry to hear about your accident. Sounds horrible! Very glad to hear you're basicly ok , heal up quickly... and....get a good lawyer!!

wondering why you would say to get a lawyer...she said the car almost didn't stop, not that it hit her while not stopping at a stop sign. To me, it sounds like a classic crash while trying to do a save. Near misses with cars "almost" breaking the law are a part of what to expect while road riding, and I see no reason to bring up lawyers, unless you want to sue the city for poor placement of the curb. Which someone somewhere would attempt to do, no doubt.

and if your smileys were intended for the lawyer comment and not the heal quickly comment, forgive my rant.

Irulan

[annie]

Nope, not gonna sue anyone. Couldn't if I wanted to, which I don't. I don't remember enough of what happened after I hit the curb. Definitely a crash while trying to save myself from worse injury. Sue the city for the curb? Hmmmmmm, no, not that either. As for a good lawyer, I'm married to one and he didn't suggest any such thing, so I can let it go. What happened stinks, but it's a chance any cyclist takes just by being out there, at least IMHO.

I checked out the Brave Soldier website. I think I belong on there! I look quite a bit worse than some of them. The woman with the totally raw lower side of her face? There you go........ that's the closest to what I look like, but she is a bit worse.

I haven't tried the Tegaderm yet but have read loads of good things about it. I go to see my regular physician tomorrow. I want to hear what he says before I try anything on my own. I plan on buying some tegaderm and giving it a try. I don't know how well it will stay on a face, but I guess I'll find out. I will keep you posted.........

Thanks again for all the concern and helpful advice.

[Veronica]

So how did your students take the "new" you?

Veronica

[Trek420]

....I see no reason to bring up lawyers, unless you want to sue the city for poor placement of the curb. Which someone somewhere would attempt to do, no doubt....

how about for not padding the curb?

.....and if your smileys were intended for the lawyer comment and not the heal quickly comment, forgive my rant.

Irulan, please forgive my innacurate smiley placement

What do people think of Alovera? I had 2nd degree burns from the neck down my chest once (slipped cooking soup stock, don't ask) the surgeon said Alovera was worthless and to expect scarring, no scars, can't even tell it happened.

TREK420

[Irulan]

of course you are forgiven!! But some people really do think like that. I broke my arm test riding a mountain bike.. mind you I walked into the bike shop with my helmet in hand. It was scary how many people said I should go after them, they knew a lawyer who could get me 50K. I don't think so!!

I"m very interested in this thread. I have some scars on legs from trail/gravel/dirt rash.

Irulan

[Trek420]

"I broke my arm test riding a mountain bike.. mind you I walked into the bike shop with my helmet in hand. It was scary how many people said I should go after them, they knew a lawyer who could get me 50K. I don't think so!!'

you are probably right, I'm not a lawyer but don't think you'd get anything other than bad karma, that's why they call it test riding, you accepted the risk

"I"m very interested in this thread. I have some scars on legs from trail/gravel/dirt rash."

those aren't scars, they are badges of courage!

Trek420...soon to be Mondonico

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Trek420
"I broke my arm test riding a mountain bike.. mind you I walked into the bike shop with my helmet in hand. It was scary how many people said I should go after them, they knew a lawyer who could get me 50K. I don't think so!!'

you are probably right, I'm not a lawyer but don't think you'd get anything other than bad karma, that's why they call it test riding, you accepted the risk

"I"m very interested in this thread. I have some scars on legs from trail/gravel/dirt rash."

those aren't scars, they are badges of courage!

Trek420...soon to be Mondonico

re, my crash... there are lawyers out there who do that kind of thing all the time. I couldn't imagine suing a bike shop for my own stupidity!! ( I tried to jumpa curb) It would put a bike shop out of business, that's for sure. Now, if they hadn't assembled it right or something like that..

anyway, rash: I look at my scars and I can't help but always wonder if we had scrubbed them out better would it have made any difference? My son had a wreck where I had to take him in to get the gravel picked out and so on, but I've had a few that aren't **that** bad. My hubby keeps betadyne scrubbers around and I know that he really loves me when he tosses me in the shower and forces me to endure scrubbing out the dirt ( ouchies)

Irulan