Road rash

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
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Road rash
A road rash scar
Synonyms	Friction burn, gravel rash
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	Emergency medicine, Dermatology
Symptoms	Skin abrasion, pain, bleeding, infection
Complications	Scarring, infection, nerve damage
Onset	Immediate after trauma
Duration	Varies, depending on severity
Types	N/A
Causes	Friction with a rough surface, typically from motorcycle or bicycle accidents
Risks	High-speed activities, cycling, motorcycling, skateboarding
Diagnosis	Physical examination
Differential diagnosis	Burn, laceration, contusion
Prevention	Protective clothing, helmets, knee pads, elbow pads
Treatment	Wound cleaning, antibiotics, pain management, dressing
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with proper care
Frequency	Common in cyclists and motorcyclists
Deaths	N/A

Road rash is a term that refers to skin and bone injury caused by friction with road surfaces, usually as a result of cycling or motorcycling accidents. The term is derived from the appearance of the abrasion, which often looks like a rash. Road rash can range from minor skin abrasions to serious injuries involving deep tissue damage.

Causes

Road rash is typically caused by a fall on a hard surface, such as asphalt or concrete. The most common cause is a motorcycle accident, but it can also occur during other activities such as cycling, skateboarding, or rollerblading. The severity of the injury depends on the speed at which the person was moving and the roughness of the surface on which they fell.

Symptoms

The symptoms of road rash can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Minor cases may involve only superficial skin damage, with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain. More severe cases can involve deep tissue damage, with symptoms such as bleeding, exposed bone, and damage to nerves and muscles.

Treatment

Treatment for road rash involves cleaning the wound to prevent infection, applying a dressing, and in some cases, taking antibiotics. In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair deep tissue damage. Pain management is also an important part of treatment, as road rash can be very painful.

Prevention

Prevention of road rash involves wearing protective clothing when participating in activities that have a risk of falls on hard surfaces. This includes helmets, gloves, and knee and elbow pads. In the case of motorcycling, leather clothing can provide significant protection.

See also

• Motorcycle safety
• Cycling safety
• Skateboarding safety