Road Rash?

[LocoLobo]

Last night I laid my bike down in the rain, the bike is ok just a few minor things from what I could tell in the dark. I'm wondering what color road rash typically is. Some of the scrapes I got are black, I feel like I cleaned it good enough, an maybe it's just dried blood.

I'm asking here because I don't believe the wound is bad enough to get it checked out.

 

[Cosworth]

Sorry for your accident, its not asphalt fragments and residue is it? I dont have much experience with road rash so sorry I can help much but I do have first aid training. The black/purpleish could be the tramatized flesh, but if you are at all in doubt go to a emergency clinic its better safe then sorry.

Generally if there is no underlying structure seen (below the dermis and into the hypodermis) and its not a extensive area, (this part is iffy because it varies by each persons perception of extensive) then throuroghly and vigourusly clean it with soap, apply tripple antibiotic and cover with a breathable gauze/covering.

 

[mrlogix]

sorry to hear about your misfortune. I catch a lot of crap from people at work cause I ride with full gear ALWAYS. A lot of them do not (mostly Harley guys) and they say I look like Darth Vader or Robocop or whatever. It only takes once and I'm older now and don't heal like I used to. Hope your okay and gear up my friend.

 

[LocoLobo]

I'm ok, just a tender spot or two on my legs. Nothing too bad, I had my gloves and jacket on. I'm wondering if I'm worried about this because it's the first time or maybe I need to get it checked out. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[zew2888]

I was hit by a car on a motorcycle one time, and my knee took some serious road rash and i thought it looked alright. Well my wife ended up making me go to the hospital a few days later and i actually had a rock embedded under my knee cap and had serious nerve damage done. I just cant feel my knee know. But wouldn't hurt to get looked at my friend.

 

[Renegade]

Post some pics of your rash. If you didn't clean it out too well, you could get a pretty nasty infection. If you have insurance, go to a hospital, have them cut away any dead flesh, and clean it with the good stuff. If it's asphalt, you can actually get the tar from it in your skin.

 

[LocoLobo]

The more I think about it the more I'm thinking of going to get it checked out.

 

[Cosworth]

[sad] Thats way down into the hypodermis in the middle id have that looked at.

 

[LocoLobo]

Thats way down into the hypodermis in the middle id have that looked at.

So what you're saying is bandaid and Neosporin is good enough right?

 

[rON bURGANDY]

Trust me, that is nothing! Just keep it clean and keep neosporin on it. Also don't let it scab up because everytime you bend your knee its going to crack the scab and extend the healing time. I had a quarter of an inch deep hole in my shoulder from my last wreck about the size of a silver dollar and on my elbow I had rash that was almost to the bone. I know me some road rash and you sir are lucky. Take care of that wound and yourself my friend!

 

[mrlogix]

don't get to down on your self about it. The first time is never the worse. I'm sure that a lot of guys and myself could tell you of far worse. At least the first one is out of the way. To many variables that we cant control, weather, road surface, other drivers. Glad to hear you was wearing your gear. [cool]

 

[Cosworth]

Trust me, that is nothing!

Its just a knee right? you have two! But all kidding aside on a second look now that ive waken up, it doesnt look horrible its fairly deep but relatively small area wise. Keep it clean and change the wrappings out frequently.

 

[go cytocis]

Sorry about your get-off.

A motorcycle forum is probably not the best source for medical advice. The responsible response to your post would be to "see your health care provider". Having said that, it doesn't look too bad at all. The suggestions above to clean with antiseptic, apply antibiotic ointment, & cover with gauze, seem right to me.

When I get road rash, I like to apply a layer of clean toilet paper over the wound to prevent the gauze from becoming encased in the scab as it forms. Any remnants of toilet paper that do stick to the would will easily wash away during cleanings.

This is also probably not the time for an AGATT lecture either, but your misfortune does illustrate just how important proper riding pants, with armour & knee pucks, are. Jeans are almost as bad as shorts...

Good luck!

 

[LocoLobo]

So I got it checked out and they told me what I had assumed already, which also lined up with what you guys were saying about keeping it clean. They gave me a tetanus shot and cleaned it for me. that being said, the professional oppinion was comforting.

I wouldve been alright I'm sure, but since I've never had road rash before i didn't know what it would look like.

Thanks everyone for the input, I can deal with a scraped knee... I don't deal too well with major repairs during the riding season. If any of you are ever up near hanging rock, NC hit me up and we can share a beer. ( I work for MillerCoors, and get free beer!)

 

[Retrax]

You are lucky. Glad you came out relatively unscathed. My first crash was when I got creamed by a drunk driver on I 35. Debridement in the emergency room is quite painful but necessary. Full face helmet saved my life but gloves a jacket and jeans didn't totally save me at 60 mph but took away about 90 percent of what would have been.

 

[go cytocis]

They gave me a tetanus shot

Haha, I was going to say, crashes that involve blood are normally a good chance to get caught up on your shots!