[jcufari]

So I took a very low speed tumble a couple of weeks ago and bashed my shin hard on something. A week later my shin was still very sore and swollen. At this point I new that there was something else going on besides a bruised shin. I go to the doctor and they told me I have skin infection and that I have to go on antibiotics for a week. So week is up and I still have a slight bump on my shin but no more pain.

Long story short I learned that if I ever get a laceration I need to clean it out asap and as result I bought a pair of shin pads.

 

[Trek7000rider]

its always a good idea to have a little first aid kit in the camelbak or seat bag or whatever you use with some disinfectant wipes and gauze/tape or regular bandages. that way whenever you do get poked/sliced/slashed/torn/scraped/etc you can quickly clean it and cover it to keep all the other fun things out of it.

 

[FloridaFish]

hydrogen peroxide (when diluted properly) is your friend.

 

[nuclear_powered]

Had a 10cm by 15cm graze on the shin from a crash the day before a 24hr (crash was on the WC DH course at Stromlo, Australia). Non-stick dressing and Betadine, wrapped in bandage for the whole race. Pulled it off the next day once completed and it smelt disgusting, and was caked in yellow pus. (Wrongly) figured it needed drying out, so left it uncovered to scab up. Big mistake - agonosing nerve pain for about 5 weeks.

Now I know better. Clean it out once home, shave around the wound. Cover it with thick layer of saline gel, cover with non-stick dressing, Opsite Flexigrid breathable skin dressing over the top, change every day for first few days, then every couple of days after that. Aim is to keep it moist the entire time.

Cuts healing time probably by a factor of 4. Hardly any pain.

 

[DJGoo]

I need to start wearing shin gaurds to keep the poison ivy off me. It's all over and oozing like it does.....and itches.

I dunno, maybe it's just me and maybe I have an exceptional immune system (or maybe I'm just lucky) but I've never had problems with infections. I've taken some hits this year leaving parts of me without skin, or with a gap in it, and with dirt clotting the blood I heal up just fine every time. One of these days Ima get Gang Green or something.





:headphones:
DJ

 

[pimpbot]

My neighbor kid...

So I took a very low speed tumble a couple of weeks ago and bashed my shin hard on something. A week later my shin was still very sore and swollen. At this point I new that there was something else going on besides a bruised shin. I go to the doctor and they told me I have skin infection and that I have to go on antibiotics for a week. So week is up and I still have a slight bump on my shin but no more pain.

Long story short I learned that if I ever get a laceration I need to clean it out asap and as result I bought a pair of shin pads.

scraped his knee. Weeks later, turns out he got some kind of blood infection that got in his joints. A couple weeks in the hospital being closely watched, and a few weeks of hardcore antibiotics later, and he's better. Doctor said he was lucky to not have his leg amputated in the process.

Maybe that is just a freak thing, but be sure you clean your scrapes!

 

[upNdown]

I just wait until I get home, then scrub the area raw. Yeah, it hurts like hell, but it's the only way i know I got all the dirt out. Then some hydrogen peroxide, then if necessary, bandaids and healing gel.

 

[CaveGiant]

Hi,

Carrying a first aid kit is a great idea, grazes is the least of your concerns.
Always make sure you have something to stop a serious wound bleeding. There are a lot more serious cuts and impalments in biking than serious infections (no statistics to back up).

Make sure the first aid kit can keep you alive until critical care gets there, you can sort a graze later.

 

[Nat]

I learned on MTBR that antibiotics are a part of "big pharma" and are therefore evil. In case of infection or sepsis apparently all you need to do is smoke dope.

 

[CaveGiant]

I learned on MTBR that antibiotics are a part of "big pharma" and are therefore evil. In case of infection or sepsis apparently all you need to do is smoke dope.

I have not tried that, but advice on the internet is always good!

Prevention is also better than the cure, so I will use the cure in a preventative measure...

 

[BigSharks]

this thread is useless without pi...n/m.

 

[elder_mtber]

Alcohol based hand sanitizer

I keep a container of it in the car with my mtb gear. After riding I "wash" my legs with the stuff. Kinda stings for a couple seconds sometimes.

After applying the alcohol externally I usually apply some internally[g].

Infections can be bad, I definitely know from experience. A hospital OR gave me one in the right wrist. Worst experience of my life. I now have a weak right hand and all the right arm muscles are smaller than my left. And I am right handed. Happened 10 years ago. My right hand and arm will be weak/bad for life.

Take care,
Terry

 

[ric426]

After applying the alcohol externally I usually apply some internally[g].

Hopefully not from the same container...