{"id":51796,"date":"2023-07-13T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=296257"},"modified":"2023-07-13T14:35:47","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T12:35:47","slug":"how-to-treat-road-rash-after-a-cycling-crash","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-to-treat-road-rash-after-a-cycling-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"How to treat road rash after a cycling crash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stop abraded skin from stinging, getting infected and scarring after hitting the deck <\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Road rash occurs when your skin rubs against the ground. After falling off your bike, skin abrasion or a graze of this kind is hard to avoid.<\/p>\n

But you can mitigate skin damage immediately after and in the days following a cycling crash. Otherwise, you risk discomfort, infection and long-term scarring.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll explain below how to look after your road rash yourself with advice from St John Ambulance. The charitable first aid organisation supports the UK\u2019s National Health Service at public events, including organised bike rides.<\/p>\n

In the event of a bad crash, you should call an ambulance or go to Accident and Emergency to get checked over for potentially more serious injuries. Look out for signs of concussion<\/a> too.<\/p>\n

What is road rash and what causes it?<\/h2>\n
\""Dutch\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Road rash happens when the top layer of skin is scraped off in contact with the ground.<\/span><\/figcaption> POOL FRANK FAUGERE\/BELGA MAG\/AFP via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cRoad rash is where the top layer of skin is rubbed off when your body comes in contact with the ground,\u201d says James McNulty-Ackroyd, head of clinical projects at St John Ambulance.<\/p>\n

First aiders also call road rash a graze or abrasion.<\/p>\n

McNulty-Ackroyd, who is also a paramedic in the charity\u2019s cycle response unit, adds: \u201cIt is particularly painful, as the nerve endings of your skin are open to the air and these wounds can lightly bleed too.\u201d<\/p>\n

How do you treat road rash?<\/h2>\n
\""GUADALAJARA,\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Clean the skin abrasion with water and gauze as soon as possible.<\/span><\/figcaption> Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Immediately after a crash<\/a>, some grazes may have gravel or dirt stuck to the wound.<\/p>\n

You should wash this off with tap water and gauze, which won\u2019t disintegrate when rubbed lightly over the wound like tissue will, according to McNulty-Ackroyd.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you can apply a dressing over the top to promote healing and prevent the wound on things,\u201d he says. This could be a large adhesive dressing or a bandage.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have a large injury, or fall off on dirt tracks, you may need a tetanus injection,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

\""ALTO\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
In the days after a crash, keep bandages clean and switch them daily.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stuart Franklin\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Within a few days, most grazes should have healed and require no further treatment, according to McNulty-Ackroyd.<\/p>\n

He says you should continue to keep the affected area as clean as possible and change the dressings when they become dirty or sodden.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s a cause for concern \u201cif you notice it\u2019s becoming inflamed (hot and red), is particularly smelly and\/or exuding pus,\u201d says the paramedic.<\/p>\n

If you see such symptoms, head to a minor injuries unit or urgent care centre or ask your GP for advice, adds McNulty-Ackroyd.<\/p>\n

\""wound\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
In the third stage of road rash, the newly formed epidermis remains sensitive.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Emergency medicine physician Dr Prentice Steffen says there are three stages to road rash care.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \ufb01rst 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,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

Dr Steffen adds that the scab\u2019s disappearance will leave a pink epidermis. This outer layer of skin is not yet fully healed and overexposure to sunlight can cause pigment damage. So he recommends covering it up with sun cream or clothing and applying moisturiser.<\/p>\n

Do you need specialist products to treat road rash?<\/h2>\n
\""Netherlands'\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Soap and clean water work as well as gels and sprays, which are often used for roadside convenience.<\/span><\/figcaption> DIRK WAEM\/Belga\/AFP via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The best first aid treatment for road rash is to clean the graze with water and dress it, according to McNulty-Ackroyd.<\/p>\n

Correctly following the steps highlighted above should remove the need for road rash treatment products, he argues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is limited evidence to show they are any better than normal first aid,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

\""Luca\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
If dirt or gravel gets stuck in your wound, go to a specialist to have it removed.<\/span><\/figcaption> Bartek Wolinski \/ Red Bull Content Pool <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Dr Steffen agrees that road rash rarely needs to be scrubbed and soap and water suffice for cleaning the graze.<\/p>\n

He says that chemicals, like betadine and peroxide, are too harsh while gels and sprays carry little benefit.<\/p>\n

On the odd occasion that grit or gravel becomes embedded in the wound, you should go to an emergency department. The task calls for specialist expertise, equipment and pain relief (for you), according to Dr Steffen.<\/p>\n

How do you treat bruised muscles from a crash?<\/h2>\n
\""Person\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ice bruised areas to reduce swelling and inflammation.<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Muscle bruising, which leaves you feeling sore and stiff, often occurs in the same area as road rash after a cycling crash.<\/p>\n

McNulty-Ackroyd says: \u201cThis is caused by damage to the capillaries in your skin and blood leaking into the areas surrounding it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIdeally, you want to get a cold compress or an ice pack onto the area as soon as possible to help reduce the pain and swelling.<\/p>\n

\u201cBruising can stay for several days but will normally start to dissipate with time.\u201d<\/p>\n

He adds that older riders and people on blood-thinning medication (anti-coagulants) may bruise more easily.<\/p>\n

How can you prevent road rash?<\/h2>\n
\""male\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Going fast is fun, but it does raise your risk of road rash when you crash.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Riding safely doesn\u2019t rule out crashing and sustaining road rash due to factors beyond your control, such as the actions of other road or trail users.<\/p>\n

However, you can reduce the risk of road rash should you hit the deck by covering vulnerable areas, according to McNulty-Ackroyd.<\/p>\n

On a mountain bike, wear MTB knee pads<\/a> and mountain bike gloves<\/a>. Drop bar riders should consider summer cycling mitts<\/a> when it\u2019s warmer or winter cycling gloves <\/a>in the cold.<\/p>\n

Many of us like riding fast but this does raise the risk of road rash if you lose control.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeed will increase the chances of your clothes tearing under you and the ground, so cycle safely and use appropriate body armour<\/a> depending on your style of riding,\u201d adds McNulty-Ackroyd.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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