Road rash is a skin abrasion caused by friction with concrete or pavement, often associated with traffic accidents. It can be painful and lead to scarring, but can be treated with proper care. Seek medical attention if there are signs of infection or severe injury.
Road rash is a type of skin abrasion caused by dragging along sidewalk or concrete. It is colloquially called “road rash” as it is often associated with traffic accidents. In most cases, it can heal quite well if treated carefully, although deep abrasions can cause scarring. Abrasions usually don’t require professional medical treatment, but you should see a doctor if you’re involved in any type of automobile accident to make sure you don’t have internal bleeding or other injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
These types of abrasions are caused by friction, which rubs the outer layers of skin when a body is dragged along the sidewalk. Many motorcyclists and cyclists have suffered from road rashes at some point, as many falls are accompanied by a brief lurch down the sidewalk. If someone is ejected from a car in an automobile accident, they can usually count skin abrasions among a number of associated injuries.
Because the rash scrapes off the top layers of skin, it can be very painful, as nerve endings can be exposed. The degree of bleeding associated with it varies, depending on the depth of the abrasions and the part of the body that is injured. The first concern in caring for this type of injury once the patient is off the road and out of harm’s way is cleanliness of the wound site, as infection can creep in between extensive abrasions. After cleansing, the rash should be bandaged with a light, breathable bandage, and the patient may wish to use an antibiotic ointment or cream to promote healing.
It’s not uncommon to feel stiff and tender while the rash is healing. In addition to the obvious pain and itching associated with healing abrasions, the accident that caused the injury can cause pain. However, the abrasions should resolve well with minimal scarring, especially if the patient keeps a close eye on them and uses vitamin E ointments or oil to promote healthy healing. It’s a good idea to get a tetanus shot for abrasions if you haven’t been immunized recently, to make sure you don’t develop tetanus.
Some signs that the rash may be severe enough to require medical attention include: swelling around the wound site, smelly or clearly infected pus, warmth around the region or exposed bones. You should look for medical conditions for severe cases of rashes, as the infection can be painful and life threatening and can cause severe scarring.
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