To treat road rash effectively, follow these steps:
- Clean the wound immediately : Rinse the abrasion thoroughly with cold or lukewarm water to remove dirt, grit, and debris without scrubbing harshly, which can cause further damage
- Remove any embedded debris : Use tweezers if necessary to gently extract visible particles like gravel or grass
- Apply an antibiotic ointment : After cleaning, apply a topical antibiotic such as Bacitracin or Neosporin to prevent infection
- Cover the wound : Use a non-adherent sterile dressing or bandage to keep the wound moist and protected from bacteria. Change the dressing once or twice daily, or more often if it becomes wet or dirty
- Monitor for infection : Watch for signs such as increased pain, redness, swelling, pus, or fever. If these occur, seek medical attention promptly
- Manage pain and discomfort : Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help. The skin may feel itchy or tight during healing; using an alcohol-free moisturizer can alleviate this
- Allow healing stages : Initially, keep the wound bandaged 24/7. As it improves, cover it during the day and leave it open at night. Eventually, the wound will scab and can be left uncovered to dry and heal fully
- Protect healing skin from sun exposure : Newly healed skin is sensitive and prone to pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen or cover the area with clothing when outdoors
- Seek professional care for severe cases : Large, deep, or full-thickness road rash injuries, or those with embedded debris that cannot be removed easily, require medical evaluation. Tetanus vaccination may be necessary depending on the injury and vaccination history
Following these steps helps prevent infection, promotes faster healing, and reduces scarring risk
