Road rash
Road Rash
Road rash (/roʊd ræʃ/) is a term commonly used to refer to skin and soft tissue injury caused by friction with a rough surface, typically asphalt or concrete, often as a result of a fall from a bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle.
Etymology
The term "road rash" is derived from the English words "road", referring to a paved surface for vehicles, and "rash", a term for a skin condition characterized by redness, itching, and inflammation. The term is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the rise in popularity of motorcycling.
Description
Road rash injuries can range from minor abrasions to severe, deep wounds that expose underlying tissues such as muscle or bone. The severity of the injury often depends on the speed at which the person was traveling at the time of the accident, the type of surface they fell on, and the amount of protective clothing they were wearing.
Treatment
Treatment of road rash involves cleaning the wound to remove debris and prevent infection, applying a topical antibiotic ointment, and covering the wound with a sterile dressing. In severe cases, medical attention may be required, and the wound may need to be debrided (removal of damaged tissue) and sutured. Pain management and tetanus prophylaxis may also be necessary.
Related Terms
- Abrasion: A type of wound caused by superficial damage to the skin.
- Friction burn: A form of abrasion caused by the friction of skin rubbing against a surface.
- Debridement: The medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue.
- Tetanus: A serious bacterial infection that causes muscle stiffness and spasms, commonly known as lockjaw.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Road rash
- Wikipedia's article - Road rash
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