“There are rare cases where debris becomes embedded in the wound and needs more attention this should be done in an emergency department with pain medication, the proper equipment and experience.” Dressing the wound Betadine and peroxide are too harsh soap and water is sufﬁcient. Then pat the wound dry.ĭr Steffen agrees: “In the vast majority of cases, it’s a myth that road rash needs to be scrubbed. Once you’ve got rid of the visible muck, clean the wound generally using a mild antibacterial soap, a washcloth and lots of water. Do this by both ‘jetting’ the syringe/saline solution over the wound and using sterile wipes. If you’re treating road rash yourself, the ﬁrst step is the most important – clean the wound as thoroughly as possible. “Skin comes last in the evaluation of an injured cyclist.”

“Don’t let road rash divert attention away from potentially more serious injuries such as head, spine or internal damage,” he says. If the wound is larger than your palm, seek medical adviceĭr Prentice Steffen, a physician with experience of working with professional cycling teams, warns that road rash, although painful, should be low on a rider’s list of priorities.

2nd degree road rash