There are times when, despite our utmost care and caution, we may still get involved in an accident due to the carelessness of others. If that isn't bad enough, we may even get injured or have an offset of road rash, a trauma to our skin and soft tissue resulting from friction with the road surface.

That said, you may need to be vigilant about the rash, as it may get infected if we are not careful with it. If you want to know how to tend to it, below are some helpful tips.

1. Clean the Rash

Before you do anything, you must clean the area. You can start by washing the area with mild soap. Remember to be one and gentle when you are doing this to prevent further skin irritation. Next, rinse it with clean running water to remove any soap residue. You can also use a soft towel to do this.

While you are doing this, make sure not to rub the wound. Doing this can worsen the situation and result in a more severe infection.

2. Apply a Topical Ointment

Ointments are great for minimizing irritation and pain. After all, they protect the wound, help prevent infection, and soothe the skin.

You can also use creams to clean off debris. If you want to do this, remember to apply them until the skin is dry. This can provide you relief from pain, itchiness, and inflammation.

3. Leave the Bandages On

Before you do anything after a motorcycle accident, make sure to wrap a bandage around the rash to secure it. You can use non-stick pads to do this. Apply it to the rashes or abrasions and ensure it stays in place. It will be less likely that you will suffer from infection if it does.

4. Consider Using Antibiotics

If the rash is starting to get red or has some blisters, it may indicate an infection. In this case, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Make sure to avoid going to a clinic near a highway as they can't treat infected wounds.

5. Watch Out for Signs of Infection and Seek Medical Attention

Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

-The sore becomes red.

-There are blisters or swelling.

-There is severe pain.

-There is pus coming out of the wound.

Get medical help if you notice any of these symptoms as soon as possible.

6. Avoid Excessive Scratching

We don't always realize it, but we tend to scratch a lot when we suffer from itchiness. Of course, we want to scratch, but it's best if you can resist it as much as possible. If you cannot, use a soft towel to do it.

7. Take a Bath

You can also help relieve itchiness, burn, and pain by taking a bath frequently. Make sure that the water is not too hot or too cold. You should also avoid soaking it in a tub or basin.

8. Be Careful Not to Use Acetaminophen

You want to make sure that you avoid popping pills to relieve pain and irritation. You will be taking Acetaminophen, which is a common pain reliever if you do. While this is a good thing, it can also be bad, as it can worsen the infection on your skin.

9. Stay Away from Alcohol

It may be tempting to go out and drink a bottle of beer to numb the pain, but remember that it can damage your skin. If you do this, it can cause your skin to open up, leading to a severe infection.

10. Avoid Contact with Other People

You also want to avoid contact with other people to prevent infection. This is particularly true if the infection has reached your bloodstream.

How Bad Can Road Rash Infections Get?

Brace yourself if you are interested in just how bad the infection can get, as this can be pretty nasty. Here are some common infections caused by road rash.

Sepsis

This infection can cause symptoms like fever, shivering, chills, and others.

Cellulitis

This infection that can be caused by staphylococci and streptococci bacteria is characterized by redness of the skin, pain, swelling, and warmth.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

This is a life-threatening infection and can happen if your immune system is weak. It can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, diarrhea, dizziness, and others.

Abscess

If you notice a lot of pus coming out of the wound and the pain is getting worse, then it is likely that you are suffering from this type of infection.

Necrotizing Fasciitis

This is another kind of infection that may lead to gangrene. Gangrene is when the skin turns into an area of dead tissue. This may be accompanied by fever, chills, and others.

Septic Arthritis

This is another kind of infection that usually happens in the joints like the knee. The infection can cause pain, swelling, redness, chills, fever, etc.

Osteomyelitis

This is characterized by tenderness and swelling in the bone due to a bone infection. The infection can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Nerve Infection

This is another kind of infection that can affect your nervous system. It can cause paralysis or a loss of sensation.

If any of these infections happen to you, you have to seek medical attention as soon as you notice it. If it is not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body, which can be even more severe than the infection itself.

A Word of Warning

Injury can be the result of an accident that can happen in a split second. If you were not careful and were hit by someone else, you may suffer from an injury that can get pretty bad.

If that is the case and you want to do something to make yourself feel better, you can start with the tips above. While they may not be able to heal you right away, they can help give you some relief from the pain and prevent infection.

Conclusion

Road rash can be treated. However, it can get worse if you don't take appropriate action. The tips provided above can help you be more proactive about the condition and smoothen your recovery process. You may also contact a personal injury lawyer in your state. They can put everything in order, and you will be compensated for what happened to you.

If you are looking for experienced accident lawyers in Los Angeles, CA, then we at Mendez & Sanchez Law are at your service. Our attorneys and team members are here to help you through the difficult legal landscape as we pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today and let us discuss about your current accident-related situation.

‍