These contaminants, if not properly cleaned from the wound, may enter the bloodstream and cause infection.Īs the wound is healing, in order to prevent infection, it is important for the victim or others to keep the wound clean, making sure it is covered properly, with the bandages also changed on a regular basis. Gravel from the roadway may become embedded in the flesh as well. As the skin scrapes along the pavement, materials on the surface of the roadways such as dirt and germs can infiltrate the newly created wounds. Infection is one of the most serious potential complications of a road rash injury. The process of recovery from severe road rash may involve a long hospital stay and skin grafts. This serious injury has the potential to cause shock to the injured rider and requires immediate medical attention. Severe road rash injuries occur when the top layers of the victim’s skin are removed, revealing underlying tissue, muscle, and at times, bones. With this type of injury, a doctor should professionally inspect, clean, and dress the wound and also show you how to properly change bandages and care for the injury. As with mild road rash, it is important to keep a moderate road rash injury clean and hydrated while the wound heals. The scabs should fall off as part of the healing process. It is important not to touch any scabs that develop on these areas so the wounds can seal up and heal. Moderate road rash can cause significant bleeding and scarring. You should have a physician look at the injury if you have any concerns about shrapnel or infection, but it can often be treated by cleaning the injured area and keeping it clean, hydrated, and covered to facilitate healing. They often involve little to no breaking of the skin. Most of these injuries heal on their own after a few weeks. Mild road rash injuries, similar to first-degree burn injuries, typically require only minimal care. Although a large percentage of road crash cases occur in motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle passengers, skateboarders, and bicyclists can also suffer road rash injuries. Road rash can occur through clothing in addition to when the skin is exposed bare to the ground.

The damage from road rash can extend deep below the tissue in some cases, even to the muscles and bones. The injury essentially leaves raw exposed skin, similar to what occurs when the skin is burned by fire. It occurs when the skin of a motorcyclist contacts the road surface, causing the scraping away of the skin. Road rash is a painful injury often resulting from motorcycle accidents.

Road rash face