I got this info off a message board some place and have kept it around for when I scrape my skin off:
supplies:
0.9% sodium chloride solution (just mild salt water)
spray bottle
4" x 4" gauze pads
johnson & johnson Bioclusive dressing or Spenco 2nd skin or Tegaderm (I prefer tegaderm)
paper tape
To deal with fresh rash: Get your post-ride shower (ouch!), NOT scrubbing the abrasions. Then, use the spray bottle of sodium chloride solution to clean up the abrasions, only gently scrubbing with the gauze pad if absolutely needed to remove visible gravel, etc.
The rash needs to be CLEAN - if it's not you're going to have to grit your teeth and make it clean with the gauze and salt solution. Let the wound dry.
Place the semipermeable dressing (you can get it at walgreens...box says semipermeable) over the wound, drying the surrounding area and attaching the film with adhesive tape on dry skin. If you are using sheets too small to cover the wound, Tegaderm, for instance, will adhere to itself and can be shingled over the wound area. The dressing can remain in place for a week, but it might be better to change the dressing after a few days. (THE WOUND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRY OUT UNTIL IT HEALS!!!!!!!!!!!) For signs of infection or if you need a tetanus booster, see your doctor.
(signs of infection include but are not limited to: severe reddenss around the edges of the wound..it's hot to the touch, swollen/painful to touch more so than usual road rash, green/yellow purulent drainage from wound)
You may find yourself sweating under the dressing when you work hard on subsequent rides. Using paper tape to secure the edges of the dressing will keep it from falling off, and you may find you want to replace the dressing if it is particularly wet.
A thought: if you find yourself in the ER because you have trashed more than some skin, you might want to get pushy with whomever is about to clean up your road rash, hoping to get the treatment outlined here.
..." Conventional treatment has consisted of cleansing the affected area with a mild soap and water or a mild antiseptic wash, such as hydrogen peroxide. This would then be followed with the application of antibiotic ointment along with a dry dressing. The problem with this approach lies in the fact that mechanical cleansing by scrubbing the wounds can produce increased trauma and a renewal of the inflammatory response. It has also been seen that the application of antiseptics, such as hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine (aka Betadine) , can actually cause harm to the tissue and interfere with function, which can further increase the injury and lengthen the healing process. Topical antimicrobials have been shown to be detrimental to fibroblasts and other cells needed for wound restoration.
In light of these findings, newer, improved methods for treating abrasions are recommended. The most advisable treatment for cleansing the wound is to flush it using a "pistol" syringe or bulb syringe containing a non-toxic surfactant, such as Shur-Clens (ConvaTec, Skillman, New Jersey) or a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, followed by the application of a hydrocolloid or semiocclusive hydrogel dressing.
A moist healing environment is provided by the dressing, which will promote cell migration, remove excess exudate, allow for gaseous exchange, and provide an impermeable barrier to bacteria and other contaminants. The moist environment provided by the proper dressing is important for optimal cell migration by preventing crust formation and allowing the wound to heal from the bottom as well as from the edges. Two basic options fulfill this requirement. One option is semipermeable film dressings, such as Bioclusive andTegaderm in combination with semiocclusive hydrogels such as Spenco 2nd Skin . These dressings are impermeable to water and bacteria but allow the exudate to evaporate.
Another option is the use of hydrocolloid dressings. These also offer a hospitable healing environment but differ from the semiocclusive hydrogels by absorbing the exudate rather than allowing for evaporation. In addition, the hydrocolloid dressing can remain in place for up to 7 days after being applied as can be done with the semipermiable films."
Examples of hydrocolloidal dressings are Duoderm and Cutinova (but you might need to get them from the hospital...they're pricy)
