5 Things You Need to Know About Road Rash

1. Road Rash by Degree

You can measure the severity of road rash by degree, much like you measure burns. First-degree road rash presents with skin redness and needs no treatment. Second-degree road rash results when the outer layer of skin breaks but can heal itself with minimal scarring. Third-degree road rash occurs when the skin comes completely off and reveals underlying tissue. Patients may require skin grafting to heal third-degree road rash.

2. Clean Away the Dirt to Avoid Tattooing

People who suffer from road rash should wash all debris from the wound as soon as possible. Prevent infection of the abrasion by running water over the area and gently scrubbing road debris out. When soap and water become available, wash the scrape thoroughly and blot it dry with a towel. Sufferers may apply an antibiotic ointment before bandaging a road rash injury to aid healing. An emergency room visit can allow a medical professional to get all the stubborn road debris that may remain after your initial cleaning. But you may want to hold onto something, because the process can be somewhat painful. Road debris left in road rash can lead to tattooing, or marks left under the skin by foreign objects that remain after the wound heals.

3. Some Say Let it Scab

Some people believe that minor road rash is better left unattended after an initial cleaning. Allowing a scrape to scab over and heal at it's own pace can cause minor discomfort if the scab breaks, and open abrasions can lead to infection, even after a cleaning. Infection of road rash can make the condition worse and take much longer to heal.

4. Cover Up for Faster Healing

Wound coverings that block moisture and protect the injured area lower the risk of infection and speed healing. Products you might use on slow healing wounds and skin ulcers, such as Tagaderm or DuoDerm, may allow road rash to heal painlessly and without scabbing. Wound coverings can go two to three days without requiring a change unless the road rash oozes. More frequent changing of those waterproof pads that prevent infection with a bacterial barrier is necessary in this circumstance.

5. Avoid Sun Exposure

Road rash should remain covered for about two weeks during healing. Keep the road rash area covered from the sun for at least a month after healing. Apply sunscreen to the site of the wound to avoid a permanent darkening of the skin.