Racing & Road Rash
 Race season is upon us, and unfortunately crashing and the resulting road rash is par for the course. These abrasions (road rash) are classified as friction burns and the tissue damage is similar to the injuries from burns. A crash does not need to take you away from training for long if you know how to care for your wounds. But before you can care for your wounds, you need to learn how to classify them and how to treat them.
First-degree abrasions are mainly minor skin burns which take off only a few bits of skin and leave a nice little raspberry. These usually scab up quickly and heal within a week or so.
Second-degree abrasions are characterized by some loss of skin, moderate pain and edema, and moderate exudate.
Third-degree abrasions remove a considerable mass of tissue and often gravel chunks or bits of dirt can remain in the skin. Losing five or six layers of tissue to the cheese-grater action of asphalt can take up to three weeks to heal.
Fourth-degree abrasions are the most gruesome. These injuries extend deeply into the subcutaneous tissues, sometimes into muscle and as deep as bone. Healing time can take months.
Now that you have identified what type of road rash you have, here are the methods of treatment:
Cleaning the Wound
 For minor abrasions (first and second degree), clean the wound thoroughly. This is essential for rapid and infection-resistant healing. For most skin abrasions, cleaning with mild soap or an antibacterial wound wash solution will remove most of the dirt and bits of damaged skin. Be sure to irrigate the wound thoroughly to remove any foreign particles.
Before applying any wound dressing, the wound must be very clean. There is a higher risk of infection and slow recovery if the wound is not thoroughly disinfected before dressings are applied. Inadequate treatment of even the most minor skin wound will contribute to delayed healing and could result in unsightly scars.
Severe abrasions (third and fourth degree) may require more care, and the injured person should be referred to the emergency room.
Dressing the Wound
 Once the wound has been thoroughly cleaned, apply an antiseptic wound ointment (like Brave Soldier® ointment) to keep the tissues moist and protected from bacteria. Then apply a gauze covering. Change the wound dressings a minimum of once every 12 hours for the first two days.
Tegaderm® is best for patches of road rash. The clear plastic bandage is medicated and seals over the wound. No need to apply ointments and the Tegaderm® patch can remain on the wound for up to 24 hours. It is waterproof and can be worn in the shower.
Keeping a wound moist during the healing process is proven to decrease healing time, and reduce scarring. Visit the Brave Soldier Web site for more information on moist wound healing at www.bravesoldier.com.
Your arsenal of race gear should include a Crash Care Kit so you will be properly prepared.
Essential Items For Your Crash Kit
Latex gloves – these protect you and the injured person from blood-borne pathogens or infection while cleaning the wound
Brave Soldier First Defense® – an antiseptic wound cleaner that contains a mild pain reliever
Betadine® soap or other wound-cleansing soap
Hydrogen peroxide
A betadine® scrub sponge
Brave Soldier antiseptic wound ointment (This stuff really works!)
Gauze pads
Gauze wrap Coban® or tubular gauze for wrapping elbow or knee wounds.
Tegaderm® – a clear medicated bandage that comes in various sizes. These can be found in most pharmacies. Do not apply antiseptic ointments under Tegaderm®, because it will interact with the medication in the wound dressing.
Large Band-Aids® – for those pesky wounds on knees and elbows.
Spenco Second Skin gel burn kits – these are really useful for deep road rash on hips, elbows or anywhere. The cooling effect of the gel pad is a nice comfort while the wound is still very sensitive. The gel is porous and allows for some wound drainage. These should be changed every 12 to 24 hours. Affix the gel pad by taping a gauze pad over it.
Porous bandage tape (Transpore is a personal favorite because it tears easily, allows wound drainage and doesn’t leave gluey residue when removed.)
Ibuprofen or Aleve® – taken right after a crash, these medications can drastically reduce inflammation and bruising and alleviate pain.
Arnica tablets – a homeopathic approach to fighting inflammation. Arnica tablets taken sublingually every 15 to 20 minutes after a crash will ease inflammation and bruising. Seek advice of your local herbalist for proper dosage.
If you have some questions about what should be in your crash kit, please contact Giana Roberge.
|
