Fell off at 'highspeed' on saturday, gave it a good clean out and yes it was painfull but went to work yesterday on feet for 9 hours and my whole bloody leg swelled up.....
Last night was wincing in pain, took pain killers and everything, really cant remember being in as much pain as that before, went to docs, 'you legs infected' stay off your feet for a couple of days and take this course of antibiotics.
Bored, still really sore and crisping up now, so am i a big puff?
pics?
do a search - there was a thread about dressings/healing time for road rash a week or two back - etting it 'crisp up' is a no-no as far as swift healing is concerned...much as scab pickign maybe a fun activity later on.
From experience, warm bath with a handfull of salt added, it WILL STING,but it helps to clean out the wounds.
I promise you it works, as well as stinging.
[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/5827897817_831abb989d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/10286353@N03/5827897817/ ]SDC10796[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/10286353@N03/ ]jcabuckley1974[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/5827898277_3dbee2f481.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/10286353@N03/5827898277/ ]SDC10797[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/10286353@N03/ ]jcabuckley1974[/url], on Flickr
There you go....
don't do the salt bath - very old fashioned treatment now proven to do no good at all. I would go back to the docs and ask for an appointment with the nurse to get suitable dressings or go to the minor injuries clinic to get dressings. Suitable modern dressings will imporove healing rates significantly
mine was better... I too got an infection and ended up on antibiotics, was very painful (but I managed to keep going to work 😉 ). Went to the day clinic and they popped a dressing on that kept it moist, smelt pretty grim though after a couple of days so I took it off!
Did the hot savlon bath thing the evening of the crash, hurt like hell but cleaned it out. Its the standing about for 9hours that caused the swelling aparently. Scab picking is great fun but i have been applying vaseline to the scab to soften it up a bit.
The wound is so hot i could fry bacon on it!
Ouch!
Just MTFU, it only looks like where your cat has missed its scratch post and scratched your leg instead
😆SiB - Member
Just MTFU, it only looks like where your cat has missed its scratch post and scratched your leg instead
Would your Boss go off work in the same situation?
With those socks????????
Fk yeah
I am more concerned by the crotch-of-lycra pics in that Flickr account.... 😯
ok...i was going to post a picture of maggots cleaning a wound...apparently this can work well.
One search on google images put me right off...that was hideous.
maggots can and do work well - you can buy sterile maggots specially bred for the purpose.
Lol guys, you're keeping me amused at least 😆
MTFU
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maggots can and do work well - you can buy sterile maggots specially bred for the purpose.
Just don't do what I did and search for 'maggots cleaning wounds' on Google images.
It put me off my lunch.
McHamish - nothing puts me off my food. many years as a nurse. I have used maggots in wounds
That pic is of Valvarde isn't it? so he was probably up to his eteballs in EPO and other drugs, wouldn't have felt a thing..
Not sure that minor graze counts as a wound, my 7 year did worse at the weekend, and guess what he's at school now.
McHamish - nothing puts me off my food.
That sounds like a challenge...but that might result in a ban so I'll resist!
Sudocrem, and lots of it FTW
So, epo-holic, I have your written application for 'being a puff' in front of me and as an ambassador of puffdom I need to know what type of 'puff' you are, so we can see if you qualify for being fabulous.
Are you a cheesy puff, a salt and vinegar puff or a more exotic variety such as prawn cocktail?
Please note that currently there is a backlog of entries to being a puff, we're pretty picky on it. It may help if you own Calvin Klein undies, at least one bottle of Lacoste and either pink lycra, SPDs or a boat that can be towed by a 4x4.
I've also got road rash but I've gone to work. I wish I hadn't but that's nothing to do with the road rash.
Do take care of it, Epo. I came off last year and got infected, didn't really realise until the horrified woman in admin pointed out that it wasn't supposed to be oozing yellow. Ended up getting told off by the nurse, getting a tetnus jab done and put on heavy anti-biotics. A year later I still bear the scars. My career in modelling is over! Over, I say!
I didn't take any time off work though, because I'm not a Magic Dragon.
Awwww thanks mrs toast, i too will never be a model but thats because i'm an ugly bastard and nothing to do with the plentyful scars i bare from being crap on a bike!
Adamw... Probably a cheesy puff, i dont own a boat, 4x4, calvins or any lacoste tho, sorry
I've also got road rash but I've gone to work
Me too.
Friday evening 5pm on a roadabout - hit by car accelerating from roundabout to join motorway.
A fair bit of road rash on my arm and back but still managed to ride the few miles home again.
The strangest sensation was listening to the sound of my helmet skipping over tarmac with me still inside it (thankfully).
MTFU
That was the first time I'd been out on the roadbike this year too!
Yes you are.
Yes you are.
Ahem, I'll be the judge of that.
No Lacoste, 4x4 - do you at LEAST have SPDs? 😛
Tart 😉
Adamw- of course i do, doesn't everyone?
Adamw- of course i do, doesn't everyone?
Phew! I was going to stamp a big 'REJECTED' sign over it, leaving you to be a non-puff. Congratulations! You are now a fully-fledged puff! Have a daiquiri!
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Mines a babysham if you dont mind! 😉
Hmmm.
Apart from the infection, thats pretty low grade gravel rash. Its clearly not that deep, and its dried already.
Real mans gravel rash would be weeping, drying, cracking and re-opening again for a good couple of weeks.
🙄
Real mans gravel rash would be weeping, drying, cracking and re-opening again for a good couple of weeks.
Exactly what mine was doing... finally all healed now though, got a nice pink patch on my leg for my troubles 🙂
MASSIVE poof!
It's not even on a bendy bit?
Was you sat on the cat scratching post in that pic?
Real mans gravel rash would be weeping, drying, cracking and re-opening again for a good couple of weeks.
Unless of course you use the appropriate dressings when it heals without scarring in comfort in 7 - 10 days
Dressing! Pah,
I wouldn't even stick a tea bag on that.
I'm still tempted to search for a picture to put TJ off his lunch...but I think i'll probably just end up putting me off my dinner and mildly amusing TJ!
Er...
That is a fairly [i]lightweight[/i] injury. You are a big jessie.
McHmish - here you are - [url= http://archive.student.bmj.com/issues/02/08/education/275.php ]not for the sqeamish[/url]
AdamW - Member
So, epo-holic, I have your written application for 'being a puff' in front of me and as an ambassador of puffdom I need to know what type of 'puff' you are, so we can see if you qualify for being fabulous.Are you a cheesy puff, a salt and vinegar puff or a more exotic variety such as prawn cocktail?
Please note that currently there is a backlog of entries to being a puff, we're pretty picky on it. It may help if you own Calvin Klein undies, at least one bottle of Lacoste and either pink lycra, SPDs or a boat that can be towed by a 4x4.
Posted 6 hours ago # Report-Post
Thats go to be one of the best return posts ever, well done that puff.
If I was a puff, I'd like to be AdamW because he's cool as ****.
you get more skin loss than that at one of these 😆
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you sir, are a big girlies blouse of such magnitude that I have run out of possible adjectives to describe its massiveness
Assuming it is more painful than it looks!
Shave your legs - no ingrowing hairs next time.
And spray on atiseptic!
TJ. I don't often get wound up by you, but rather than posting smug comments about 'correct dressings' etc. maybe you could do the OP a favor by offering advice about treatment since it's well known on here that you're a nurse.
In fact, an article on the subject might well be a useful addition to this site as my on-line research on the subject has had me going around in circles with some sources saying to keep the injury covered, some sources saying to leave it open, some sources saying to use hydro-colloid dressings, others to use dry absorbent dressings and one and on. In fact, even the NHS seems unable to agree on what course of treatment is best as my recent road rash had two nurses arguing with each other over how best to treat it. The more senior of the two eventually answering my question of 'Whats the best way to treat it?' with the immaculately fence-siting answer of 'it depends'. She declined to comment on what it depends on.
So, TJ, or any other health professional on here. What is the best way to treat road rash? Are there variable factors which affect the treatment? What are warning signs to watch out for that something may be wrong? What's the horrible yucky gunky fluid that leaks out of road rash? How do you stop it sticking to your sheets whilst you're asleep? If the rash is on a 'bendy bit' of your body, i.e. knee or elbow, whats the best way to dress it? How should one remove a dressing? Just yank it off and scream? Sit in a hot bath? Soak the dressing in a shower? What are the 'right' dressings to use? Does the type of dressing you use have to change as the injury heals? How often should dressings be changed? At what stage should the injury be left open? How long should road rash take to heal? Is there a variance in healing times due to severity/depth of injury, age of casualty etc? Is pain relief a good idea? How does one decide which pain relief to take? At what stage does one decide to go see a medical professional? Should the injury be checked by a medical professional? At the point of injury? Daily afterwards? Less regularly?
I look forward to your responses.
Keep it clean obviously, so best to cover it witha tubi grip type bandage when in bed,
Pop down to the local drop in centre for new bandages etc
if it goes red around the outside and the redness spreads straight to GP,
If it goes green and is oozing its usually infected, mine was and took about 12 days new dressings and anti biotic powder every day, alsong with a clean with water,done by a nurse, (i worked in a hospital last time i did it)
Also remember all these new dressings are promoted by the drug companies, so its in their intrests to push the latest product, salt water worked for me , and for hundreds of years before me.
Good grief....
[i]What is the best way to treat road rash? Are there variable factors which affect the treatment? What are warning signs to watch out for that something may be wrong? What's the horrible yucky gunky fluid that leaks out of road rash? How do you stop it sticking to your sheets whilst you're asleep? If the rash is on a 'bendy bit' of your body, i.e. knee or elbow, whats the best way to dress it? How should one remove a dressing? Just yank it off and scream? Sit in a hot bath? Soak the dressing in a shower? What are the 'right' dressings to use? Does the type of dressing you use have to change as the injury heals? How often should dressings be changed? At what stage should the injury be left open? How long should road rash take to heal? Is there a variance in healing times due to severity/depth of injury, age of casualty etc? Is pain relief a good idea? How does one decide which pain relief to take? At what stage does one decide to go see a medical professional? Should the injury be checked by a medical professional? At the point of injury? Daily afterwards? Less regularly?
I look forward to your responses.[/i]
Get hysterical much? It's a graze, not major surgery.
If you did nothing at all with it, it would get better all by itself. You can help things along by cleaning all the bits of road out of it and using something to keep it moist while it heals. If you want to use fancy stuff you can opt for hydrocolloid style dressings, if it's a massive area you can even use clingfilm.
[i]Should the injury be checked by a medical professional?[/i] Only if you want them to be really cynical with you.
[i]Is there a variance in healing times due to severity/depth of injury, age of casualty etc?[/i] Well, yes....
for roadie in a strop: 😉
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/wound-healing-gravel-rash-specifically-to-cover-or-not ]http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/wound-healing-gravel-rash-specifically-to-cover-or-not[/url]
If you’re treating yourself, the ?rst step is the most important – clean the wound as thoroughly as possible. Do this by both ‘jetting’ the syringe/saline solution over the wound and using sterile wipes.
Once you’ve got rid of the visible muck, clean the wound generally using a mild antibacterial soap, a washcloth and lots of water. Then pat the wound dry.
Dr Steffen agrees: “In the vast majority of cases, it’s a myth that road rash needs to be scrubbed. Betadine and peroxide are too harsh; soap and water is suf?cient. Gels and sprays do little.
"There are rare cases where debris becomes embedded in the wound and thus needs more attention; this should be done in an emergency department with pain medication, the proper equipment and experience.”
Dressing the wound
If using a healing hydrocolloid dressing, apply it and leave in place until healing has occurred. It’ll drop off in a week or so to reveal new pink skin. You do not need to remove the dressing or reclean the wound.
If you’re using more traditional dressings, apply a thin coating of antibiotic ointment once the wound is clean, followed by a non-adhesive gauze pad and then hold that in place with a combination of micropore tape and Surgi?x tubular bandage. Then monitor the healing process, cleaning and re-dressing the wound daily.
Dr Steffen sums up: “There are three phases to road rash care. The ?rst is to be bandaged 24/7. Phase two is covered during the day and open-to-the-air at night. Third is unbandaged 24/7, dried up and scabbed over.”
Keep an eye out for spreading redness, swelling, an increase in pain, pus or foul smelling drainage. All of these are signs of infection and if they’re present, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Once the scab has come off, new pink epidermis will be revealed. This skin has not yet fully healed and over-exposure to sunlight can cause permanent pigment change. Protect it with sun block or clothing and apply a moisturiser. Also bear in mind that you and your road rash are individual, and what works for you might not work for a mate.
Roadie - the reason I did not recommend a dressing is that the OPs GP said it was infected hence my advice was to go to a nurse to get it seen then the correct dressings could be used. Personally I doubt it is infected but I am in no position to be sure from a glance at a pic so go to a nurse is surely the best advice.
I have given the general advice many times before but here goes in some detail
In general - hydro colloid dressings are what I recommend and use. However great caution is needed with infection hence the above advice.
Granuflex extra thin or duoderm thin are the brand names - similar stuff to compeed but comes in a variety of sizes up to big sheets. Films such as oposite or tegaderm are a good option as well
You put the dressing on and leave it for a week. if the wound is dirty then apply after a shower - pat dry and apply the dressing. it will collect foul smelling gunk under it but this is normal. after a week it should be healed. sometimes they produce so much gunk that the dressing comes off - tape it down or replace it if it does. The dressing is flexible and water proof and there are various ways of cutting and applying it for awkward and bendy areas.
Specific answers
hydrocolloid xdressing IMPOSo, TJ, or any other health professional on here. What is the best way to treat road rash?
different opinions in the main. Infection is the main other factor.Are there variable factors which affect the treatment?
swelling ( as in the OP) heat, redness around it, getting a high temperature, any other signs of systemic illnessWhat are warning signs to watch out for that something may be wrong?
mainly lymph and white blood cells IIRCWhat's the horrible yucky gunky fluid that leaks out of road rash?
by using the hydrocolloid dressingHow do you stop it sticking to your sheets whilst you're asleep?
the hydrocolloid is bendy and trhere are ways of cutting and applying it as well as specifically shaped sheets - I'll google for an application guideIf the rash is on a 'bendy bit' of your body, i.e. knee or elbow, whats the best way to dress it?
soak of an absorbent dressing - however film and hydrocolloid don't stick the the would at all and what you do is stretch them and they come off - usually easily.How should one remove a dressing? Just yank it off and scream? Sit in a hot bath? Soak the dressing in a shower?
hydrocolloid or film for uninfected. Hydrocolloid is my faveoriteWhat are the 'right' dressings to use?
no - hydrocolloid for a week to ten days and its healed - probably only one application needed but may need changed after a couple of days depending on gunk levelsDoes the type of dressing you use have to change as the injury heals?
as little as possibleHow often should dressings be changed?
when yo have a healed skin surfaceAt what stage should the injury be left open?
Yes but 7 - 10 days would be the normHow long should road rash take to heal? Is there a variance in healing times due to severity/depth of injury, age of casualty etc?
I find the dressings take away most of the painIs pain relief a good idea?
From the amount of pain 🙂How does one decide which pain relief to take?
any signs of systemic illness local infection. heat / swelling / redness / high temperature / other signs of being unwellAt what stage does one decide to go see a medical professional?
Nurse not doctor. as above if there are signs of infection or delayed healing.Should the injury be checked by a medical professional? At the point of injury? Daily afterwards? Less regularly?
Wound healing is very much a matter of opinion in the medical trade. However moist wound healing is generally accepted as best nowadays but there are a few differnt ways of acheiving this.
IMO Hydrocolloids and films are best. others like paraffin gauzes and honey tulles or similar. There are huge numbers of products on teh market but what I have typed above is my experience and opinion. Note that advice given over the internet is worth exactly what you pay for it! [b]Any concerns then go to a professional
[/b]
Project - whats your experience / source? Some things there I would strongly disagree with and are not so far as I know evidence based.
TJ, They worked for me, a few times, Also we had a patient come in with a deep cut on his leg, he had covered the wound with his sock soaked in urine, the consultant in A AND E said he hadnt seen that since he was training but it appeared to work as fresh urine is pure.
Lol this has kicked off a bit......
I do appreciate the input and also the ribbing from you guys.
Have to admit it doesnt look much but what you dont see is the wound is very red and infected although it has mostly stopped seeping now. The main issue is my lower leg has ballooned in size and i cannot stand or put any weight on my right leg. My job requires me to be on foot 10 hours a day and generally running about like a blue arsed fly, so thats out at the mo...... Pretty pathetic really for a wee graze!
Doc prescribed a course of antibiotics for the infection and rest for the swelling, have to say the pain was unbelievable last night.
The missus googled road rash and there are heaps of conflicting advice, you read what to do then the next arricle tells you not to do what you've just done, at this point we gave in, so off work it is yipee!
Cheers guys
So, epo-holic, I have your written application for 'being a puff' in front of me and as an ambassador of puffdom I need to know what type of 'puff' you are, so we can see if you qualify for being fabulous.Are you a cheesy puff, a salt and vinegar puff or a more exotic variety such as prawn cocktail?
Please note that currently there is a backlog of entries to being a puff, we're pretty picky on it. It may help if you own Calvin Klein undies, at least one bottle of Lacoste and either pink lycra, SPDs or a boat that can be towed by a 4x4.
Oh Sweet Lord this is genius... 😆
There are rare cases where debris becomes embedded in the wound and thus needs more attention; this should be done in an emergency department with pain medication, the proper equipment and experience.
This happened to me.
A big old slide down a tarmac hill left melted polyprop shorts and t-shirt embedded in a 200x200mm area of hip/arse.I completely lost the top dermal layer apparently.
A good scrub down with some pink disinfectant and a healthy dose of topical lignacaine and adrenalin did the job, but it took longer for me to recover from the liberal use of lignacaine than the treatment. I had the shakes so bad I couldn't keep water in a cup and was dry retching from nausea.
Happy days!
hydrocolloid xdressing
What's that? Putting women's dressings on men?
So, more questions. I've never washed wounds. Should I? They are usually scabbed up by the time I get home anyway.
And what about foreign objects stuck in there, like bits of gravel? Really necessary to remove them?
I got gravel rash on my shoulder a couple of years ago after a crash at the bottom of Mt. Seymour. Got infected and was *very* painful. Bearing in mind this was Vancouver and their methods may be a little different. Good old scrubbing with anti-bacterial soap and a nail brush. The bigger bits of grit were picked out with a pair of surgical scissors. Hurt like hell whilst it was being cleaned by it felt much better after and there was no need for anti-biotics or anything! Sorted.
washing it is a good idea but do not use soap or anything but water unless you are in a position like Science officer. Even then I would be cautious with the strong soaps and stuff. Scabbing delays healing - the hydrocolloid or film dressing will soften the scab that forms inan hour or two. and keep the would moist
Don't forget to keep the fluids up to rehydrate after losing the serum from the wound.
I ended up with vaseline gauze on that one, because they had nothing big enough and it had to be overlapped. Plus every other day changes at the nurses for the first week.
Its not rocket science to treat wounds like this if you have some common sense and a little intelligence, but getting hold of BIG dressings for home use is a real PITA IME.
its the common alternative to the films / hydrocolloids. Oldfashioned IMO