• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • Calendar
  • Gear
  • Destinations
  • Archive
  • Forum
  • Members
    • Register
    • Login
    • Logout

Northwest in Motion

Inspiring, informing, and connecting cyclists, runners, hikers, and skiers

Home » Gear » First aid » Road Rash Wound Care

Road Rash Wound Care

January 27, 2021 by David Longdon Leave a Comment

“Road rash” is slang for skin injuries caused by abrasion with road surfaces. It may very well be the most common cycling injury, and it’s also common in skating and running.

Shop Northwest in Motion

  • Sale!

    Nalini Dolomiti Lady

    $100.00 $55.00
    Select options
  • Sale!

    Nalini Green Lady

    $100.00 $55.00
    Select options
  • Sale!

    Nalini Nalinissima Ws Shorts-L

    $125.00 $49.95
    Add to cart

Although road rash is “just a flesh wound,” it’s super painful because it exposes the sensitive nerve endings just under the skin’s outer layer. When exposed to air and water, road rash is eye-wateringly painful.

Road rash is literally a pain to treat because the wound weeps blood and plasma (“exudate”) for days if not weeks. The weeping makes it hard to bandage–the exudate tends to bond even with non-stick dressings. Because of that difficulty, some folks leave the wound completely open, but that makes sleeping difficult because the weeping wound sticks to bedsheets.

Enter a “space age” solution: film dressings marketed as 3M Tegaderm and a new product, DrySee. These dressings look like kitchen plastic wrap, and their efficacy is a wonder.

While Tegaderm film dressings for everyday use are relatively new to most of us, the technology was patented in the 1980s. If you’ve ever had an IV, they probably used Tegaderm to protect the insertion area.

The film adheres to the skin, and separate taping is not needed.

The moist conditions under the dressing promote wound healing. Since the film is transparent, you can watch the healing process. Amazing!

Surprisingly, no scab ever forms which, for road rash wounds that cover a lot of surface area, means no irritating itchy phase when the scab dries out and shrinks.

These films are waterproof and you can wash and bath normally. The plastic barrier means no pain from contact between the wound and water.

Drysee Application Instructional Video from Margaretta Snell on Vimeo.

DrySee is an upgrade from conventional Tegaderm in that it has a water invasion indicator near the edge and center of the film. The indicators make it easy to see if the film or wound site has been compromised, and is a signal to change the dressing.

When the DrySee bandage is clean and dry, the gauze pads remain white. When the bandage is contaminated, the gauze changes to a deep blue color along the perimeter of the bandage.

Road Rash Care

–Take a shower and clean the wound with soap and water. If there is embedded dirt or rocks you may need to scrub them out. It will hurt!
–Gently dry off.
–Apply the film.
–Change the dressing as needed. It will weep quite a bit at first, then gradually slow down. You’ll be able to see the healing process and it will be obvious when the wound is closed. Instead of a scab, expect to see fresh pink “baby skin.”

First Aid Kit

Both 3M Tegaderm and DrySee come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Stock your first aid kit with a mix of sizes that are a match with potential injuries: Larger surface areas for cyclists and skaters, smaller surface areas for runners and hikers.

Folding these dressings can damage them. Store them flat and protected in your home and automobile first aid kits.

Buy Local and support small businesses!

3M Tegaderm is available at most local pharmacies.

The best way to get DrySee is via their website.

Related Stories

Filed Under: First aid, Gear

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Inspired | Informed | Connected

We’re here to inspire, inform, and connect you with like-minded cyclists, runners, and fitness enthusiasts.

Running in the rainNorthwest in Motion was created by David Longdon, and is produced with a cadre of creative collaborators.

Bellevue pop up Italian Home & Kitchen
Francesca Carmichael manages our retail experiences.

Gear Wisdom

Road Rash Wound Care
How to Layer for the Pacific Northwest
Gearing up for a Bikepacking Epic
Women Gear Up for Bikepacking
Gearing Up for Bikepacking
How to Choose Cycling Shorts
Swiftwick Merino Wool @ Bridle Trails
How to Wash your Kit

Bicycle Helmet Safety Ratings
Hi Vis Helmet Hack

The n + 1: Platypus Tokul XC 8.0 & B-Line 8.0
The n + 1: Oakley Flak 2.0 XL w/ Day & Night Contrast Lenses
The n + 1: Roka Eyewear
The n + 1: Sensity Photochromic Lenses
The n + 1: Bialetti Moka Express

More Gear Reviews & Tips

Connect

Login or Register to comment and participate in the Forum.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Search

Share

Sponsor

Contact us about:
–sponsoring the calendar
–promoting your events
–sponsoring story categories
–promoting your business
–promoting your brand

Fitness During Coronavirus

Stay motivated, engaged, and connected. Check out the virtual events in our Calendar.

Support LOCAL businesses including Northwest in Motion’s online and popup retail!

Join the every other week Peace Peloton rides supporting economic reform for Black people.

Share your pandemic fitness experiences on our Forum.

Check out Cascade Bicycle Club’s Directory of Open Bike Shops

Recreate Responsibly

Footer

About
Contact

Partners
Advertise
Subscribe

Returns and Shipping Policy
Terms of Use
Privacy

Copyright © 2021 • Northwest in Motion, LLC • All rights reserved