How to Treat Road Rash

Road rash is a superficial abrasion to the skin that occurs after sliding across pavement, rocks, or any other hard surface. In general the condition is very uncomfortable and can lead to an infection if not treated properly. From someone who has many road rash incidents in the past I will teach you some tricks that will help it to heal faster and more comfortably.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Cream
• Rubbing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide
• Sterile Gauze Pads
• Clean Plastic Bristle Brush
• Plastic Cling Wrap

1. Carefully remove any clothing that may be near the damaged area of skin. Take some ibuprofen or aspirin for the pain.

2. Clean the affected area by running cool water over it. Using your fingers remove any pieces of dirt that may be lodged within the wound. Use a clean plastic bristle brush to scrub out any dirt that may be embedded in the wound.

3. Now the wound needs to be sterilized. Clean the wound using either rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Use a gauze pad to clean deep into the wound with the sterilizing solution. Once the entire wound has been cleansed use a gauze pad to dry the wound thoroughly.

4. Liberally apply triple antibiotic ointment or cream to the wound. Stretch out a piece of plastic cling wrap over the wound. Secure it to the wound by whatever means will keep it fixed for several hours. The plastic wrap will act as an artificial scab. It will keep the the wound moist and promote healing faster than letting a real scab form. Clean the wound at least once and day and replace the plastic wrap with a new piece each time.

5. Clean the wound at least once a day.

Tips & Warnings

• Articles of clothing work well with keeping the plastic wrap applied to the skin. Underwear can be used to keep it in place if the road rash is on the buttock or thigh.
• An ACE bandage can keep the plastic wrap secure in other places like arms and legs.

[arialthefont]

on 6/25/2009 I beg to differ, no sense in adding to your pain with rubbing alcohol. Use a Saline wash to clean your wounds. Tegaderm is the best for covering

[nuzach]

on 6/19/2009 For sanitary reasons, I'm not sure I would advise using plastic wrap. Health stores and pharmacies sell products like Tegaderm and Second Skin, which will perform the same role as saran wrap in the above treatment, but they are specially developed to bind with the skin and promote healing. I think it's worth a few bucks to avoid putting something that's not designed for medical use in contact with your body.