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#174213 - 06/02/09 11:01 PM treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape?
picard120 Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 07/10/05
Posts: 763
how would I treat injury from bicycle accident such as major scrapes of skin? what bandages do I use? the wound would be too large for band aid.

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#174237 - 06/03/09 02:37 AM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: ]
MDinana Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
Izzy is essentially right. Make sure you clean it well, all the foreign bodies out, etc. Picking them directly out instead of scrubbing hurts less. Most pain receptors respond to shearing forces (just an FYI for the "random facts" folks)

Non-stick like Telfa can still stick a bit. Vaseline gauze probably would work but isn't the best, there also saline-impregnated gauze.

Either way, keeping it moist helps heal faster and scar less (which ultimately means better cosmetics and a bit improved tensile strength). Vaseline, Neosporin, or one of those variations every 6-8 hours works.


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#174244 - 06/03/09 03:09 AM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: MDinana]
wildman800 Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 2851
Loc: La-USA
I found that providing moisture via Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic ointments work very well.

Bandages don't stick to the wound and infection possibilities are ALMOST nil.

There is a new ointment out, I can't recall it's name, but it is specifically made to apply to a fresh wound in order to prevent an infection from being able to start. I used it on some scratches during my last camping trip and it was great!
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret)
The best luck is what you make yourself!

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#174260 - 06/03/09 10:06 AM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: wildman800]
Dan_McI Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 12/10/07
Posts: 844
Loc: NYC
Second Skin is product that might help for a case of road rash. It was developed for burns, and it's awesome for blisters. It is similar to putting a small patch of clear gelatin over your skin and provides a nice protective barrier. I've had nasty blisters, put on some Second Skin, stopped feeling any pain or discomfort, while I played an atheltic game or hiked. I have never used it over a cut or abrasion, but it should work well.

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#174263 - 06/03/09 10:28 AM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: Dan_McI]
Pharaoh Offline
Newbie

Registered: 07/26/06
Posts: 49
Loc: The Hague, the Netherlands.
Hi,
I just use PolarPure as a woundwash (regular iodine would also be fine) and coat the wound with instant mashed potatoes powder.
This will give you in instant "scab". You could then cover with gauze if needed but I don't.
Expect the potato powder to turn purple when it contacts the iodine. Don't know why this happens, it just does.
Works for me.
Pharaoh.
_________________________
-Smile and the world smiles with you. Fart and you stand alone-

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#174265 - 06/03/09 11:45 AM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: picard120]
Frozen Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 01/07/05
Posts: 86
Adventure Medical used to sell a Road Rash Management Kit, with a surgical brush, a syringe for flushing the wound, ointment, dressings, etc. They don't seem to carry them any more, but a quick Google search revealed kits made by several different companies.

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#174266 - 06/03/09 12:20 PM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: picard120]
Frankie Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 09/19/03
Posts: 736
Loc: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Check out this website. There are many pictures and a lot of information and suggestions:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/firstaid/idx-main.htm

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#174290 - 06/03/09 03:04 PM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: Frankie]
comms Offline
Veteran

Registered: 07/23/08
Posts: 1502
Loc: Mesa, AZ
This is assuming this road rash is done in an urban setting and not back country, correct?

As someone who has had pretty severe road rashes from cycling falls the first thing is to make sure nothing is broken including helmet then get home, otherwise get a hospital.

Once the wound is wiped clean, I use tweezers for rocks, glass, etc and a irrigation syringe for some areas (hurts so good.

Then I use a first aid spray like Solarcane or Bactine to go over the whole limb. Solarcane has some topical painkillers on it like benzocain or lydacain.

Then smear a triple antibiotic ointment on a Teflon/non-stick pad and then put the pad over the bleeding areas. I'll hold the pad in place with some light gauze and tape.

Then a tall glass of brandy and call all your pals to brag. Because two days later you're going to be hurting and not nearly as willing to talk about it.

After a day or so, and no puss or drainage, go without padding and just make sure you don't bleed out on your clothes or bed. The air will heal the skin damage faster with a blister than continuously using bandages.

Some friends have used the new ointments to lessen scaring with some success but I haven't used that myself.
_________________________
Don't just survive. Thrive.

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#174293 - 06/03/09 03:48 PM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: comms]
benjammin Offline
Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
Liquid bandage like NewSkin seem to work okay, though you may pass out from the antiseptic sting if the wound is too big. I once sprayed some on an opened blister in the palm of my friend's hand, and I thought he was gonna drop, but the stuff does disinfect, does seal the wound, and does ablate as the wound heals. These are polymers dissolved in a solution that, as it evaporates, the polymer bonds slightly to the wound and seals it pretty effectively.
_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

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#174304 - 06/03/09 05:49 PM Re: treat bicycle injury.... major skin scrape? [Re: benjammin]
Chris Kavanaugh Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/09/01
Posts: 3824
Buy a bottle of contact lens saline solution with the squeeze nozzle. It's sterile, buffered to your own body's PH and salt content.I've used it on injured horses with greater comfort and safety for us both.

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