Training & Nutrition - Does the road rash discoloration ever go away?

A cyclist friend who got in his first accident (hard to believe) a few months ago asked me if the discoloration from road rash ever goes away completely and how long it takes. I couldn't give him a definite answer, as all my road rash injuries have happened so many times that I've got permanent scar tissue (beautiful red/brown circles on my hips and shoulders).

Anyone know/remember if it goes away and how long it takes?

Thanks,

Beej

First "road rash" is not a terribly precise definition. How deep did it go? Did "road crud" get into the "road rash"? How much acreage got scraped?

Second, not all folks' systems react the same way. I've got permanent scars from some "road rash" incidents, nothing at all from others.

Well Chuck It, tell 'im it'll be gone in two-three weeks.

In my considerable experience, the scabs will be gone in 2-5 weeks. The tender pink skin will be there for a few more weeks. The scar may be permanent, or may fade over a period of months or even years.

To minimize scarring: Keep the area moist with antibiotic ointment and covered with a bandage for 3 weeks or so. The goal is to prevent scab formation, as much as possible.

not if you're scarred.

My hips, ankles and elbows have some lovely reminders.


Wear them as badges of honour, comrade!

The amount of scarring is proportional to the depth of the abrasion. Color is red orange in fresh rash, pink in healing/healed rash for the first several months gradually fading to white over 4-6months or a very pale pink. If the dermis is largely preserved the skin will be able to tan but there will always be a color differential. Scars also thin out with time so that exuberant red/pink scars over the course of a year will be smaller, paler and thinner. One exception is lower leg where intrinsic skin tension tends to enlarge scars that are full thickness (such as lacerations) for several weeks to a month. Roody is correct, scabs are not good, scarring is worse with scab formation (and abrasions are generally more painful when scabbed than when properly dressed and moist).
Steve

depends on the deepness.... the scars on my knuckles are still here after over a year... i haven't looked at the others.. haven't noticed them either.

No, I don't think fairly deep road rash scars ever go away. My left knee is quite a deep red/dark purple color from an accident I had a year ago. It still looks like there is dirt embedded in it, but I doubt there is.

My right left knee is also quite purplish from when I was hit my the car nearly 14 months ago. I will probably have it laser or chemically removed some day... the ones on my right leg... those are badges of honor...

To minimize scarring: Keep the area moist with antibiotic ointment and covered with a bandage for 3 weeks or so. The goal is to prevent scab formation, as much as possible.EXACTLY! The discoloration are areas of scarring that have less melanin than the surrounding skin. Due to the lack of vascular tissue, it's unlikely that it will ever get colored in. Best to never let the scarring occur in the first place. Keep the bacteria and infectious stuff out by keeping it covered up with ointment and bandages. Usually gets pink in 1-2 weeks. DO NOT expose this fresh skin to sunlight! It will get mottled patches. Change the ointment to vitamin-E cream for another 1-2 weeks, and keep it covered lightly with gauze. Look up the latest protocols for treating burn-victims, the procedure works great for road-rash.