Commuting - Gravel Road Rash

Hey all,

Got into my first "serious" mishap today.. was on a multipurpose path, heading down a bit of a hill on my way to work. Thought I was going too fast (upcoming left turn), so wanted to feather rear brakes a bit.. um evidently I braked too hard, and went down on my right side. Fortunately my joints all seem OK, and my baby is OK ;)

Anyway I got quite a bit of road rash on both knees and my right arm. I did a quick google around, and most places really emphasized cleaning the wound properly. However since I was on gravel/mud, even after some light brushing and lotsa water, many areas still kinda black (I'm guessing from dust/mud mixed in with where some scraped skin).

How hard do you think I should wash it? Seems like if I really wanted to wash it well, I would end up aggravating the inflamming even more.. but if I do nothing, I am worried about infection and not healing quickly.

Anybody with some experience with road rash on gravelled paths that can give some advice?

thanks,
-xan-

Soap and water as in a normal shower, then put Polysporin ointment over the rash. I think leaving open to the air speeds healing, provided you can avoid clothes etc sticking to the wound. Execise that stimulates blood flow to the wound area also promotes healing.

Hope you were wearing gloves. Road rash on the legs is an inconvenience. On the hands it is serious.
I carry some sachets of disinfectant wipes for scrapes.
You may want to put on some more protective clothing and practice that "braking on lose surface" manouvre, it does take some finesse.

Hope you were wearing gloves. Road rash on the legs is an inconvenience. On the hands it is serious.


Yep! That's why I wear full fingured gloves, even in the summer!