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While most riders will never need to give thought to carrying any wound care supplies, gravel, mountain, and adventure cyclists traveling far away from civilization should give this serious thought and include a first aid kit in their gear. Here is the CyclingTips guide to caring for road rash.
#Cleaning road rash how to#
Knowing how to properly care for this type of wound can reduce discomfort, promote healing, prevent infection, and return you to your normal riding routine more quickly. Abrasions – or ‘road rash’ in the cycling vernacular – occur when the layers of skin are scraped away by an abrasive surface.įortunately, road rash does not typically cause much more than pain and some time off the bike – but you can bounce back quicker. You will find yourself on the ground with less skin than you had moments earlier. Tarmac, gravel and trail can all take their toll on our skin and the silly lycra we wear does little to avert injury.Īt some point it will happen to you. Hitting the ground while riding your bike is one of the worst aspects of a great sport. He has a particular interest in wound care in outdoor settings, and enjoys riding steel bicycles with rim brakes while exploring the rural roads west of his home city. David is a registered nurse from Philadelphia, USA with a clinical background in critical care nursing, emergency medical services, and wilderness medicine.
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![cleaning road rash cleaning road rash](https://www.truthaboutnursing.org/images/care/wound_care/knee-7.jpg)
VeloClub member David Maver prepared this guide for post-crash treatment. Road rash is close to an inevitability for cyclists – but while it might ruin your day, with appropriate treatment you will soon be back in the saddle and on your way to recovery.