Road Rash and Hydrocolloid patches

guttertrash
guttertrash Posts: 147
edited July 2010 in Road beginners
Had a coming together with the road a week ago, and have been using hydrocolloid patches on the worst bits of road rash, some of it pretty bad, after having it cleaned up in A & E.

I've been changing the patches every three or four days, and the gunk under the patches is making me wonder if there is an infection, as its a kind of light brown colour and stinks when taking the patches off. The wound itself doesn't look infected, and doesn't smell once its been cleaned, but its the first time i've used these hydrocolloid patches and was wondering if this gunk was normal?

I am planning on going to the docs tomorrow anyway to get them checked out to be on the safe side, as a couple of them are taking their time in healing and are still a little sore.
Ribble New Sportive
Specialized Pitch Pro

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 16,612
    the only medical advice you should trust on the internet is...

    see a doctor
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • guttertrash
    guttertrash Posts: 147
    Yeah I know that, just looking for others experiences of using the patches, and wondering if the gunk is normal. Like I said, I'm seeing the doc tomorrow anyway as I still have a sore shoulder.
    Ribble New Sportive
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  • kayakerchris
    kayakerchris Posts: 361
    The gunk is normal as is the smell. It is not infected unless it is hot, red and pain is increasing. The gunk you are washing off is all the healing nutrients that the body is producing at the repair site. Professionally I wouldn't change a hydrocolloid dressing until it fell off.










    consultant plastic surgeon
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  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    They are great for what it is worth. I scuffed up my thigh about 6 weeks ago - I used hydrocolloid dressings for about 1 week and then normal plasters. There is no scar at all now - just a slight redness. Other, lesser damage to my legs is still visible over a year later.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • CarleyB
    CarleyB Posts: 475
    Being a mum I tell my kids no plasters as fresh air is the best thing. Maybe the patches are keeping the area too wet and your road rash needs to dry out? Try a bit of witch hazel (will sting) and keep air to the area.
    Level 3 Road & Time Trial Coach, Level 2 Track Coach.

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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Worry not.

    Don't forget that:

    chicks dig scars ;)
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  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    kayakerchris wrote:
    The gunk is normal as is the smell. It is not infected unless it is hot, red and pain is increasing. The gunk you are washing off is all the healing nutrients that the body is producing at the repair site. Professionally I wouldn't change a hydrocolloid dressing until it fell off.


    consultant plastic surgeon
    CarleyB wrote:
    Being a mum I tell my kids no plasters as fresh air is the best thing. Maybe the patches are keeping the area too wet and your road rash needs to dry out? Try a bit of witch hazel (will sting) and keep air to the area.

    There you go - you picks your qualification and you makes your choice :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    The only cure is to buy a Felt AR1 Di2
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • CarleyB
    CarleyB Posts: 475
    Rolf F wrote:
    kayakerchris wrote:
    The gunk is normal as is the smell. It is not infected unless it is hot, red and pain is increasing. The gunk you are washing off is all the healing nutrients that the body is producing at the repair site. Professionally I wouldn't change a hydrocolloid dressing until it fell off.


    consultant plastic surgeon
    CarleyB wrote:
    Being a mum I tell my kids no plasters as fresh air is the best thing. Maybe the patches are keeping the area too wet and your road rash needs to dry out? Try a bit of witch hazel (will sting) and keep air to the area.

    There you go - you picks your qualification and you makes your choice :lol:

    pmsl I had a proper chuckle at that :lol:
    Level 3 Road & Time Trial Coach, Level 2 Track Coach.

    Blackpool Clarion CC
    http://blackpoolclarion.webs.com/

    Blackpool Youth Cycling Association
    http://www.go-ride-byca.org
  • guttertrash
    guttertrash Posts: 147
    Thanks for the advice.

    Been to the docs this morning. He doesn't think there is any underlying infection but has given a weeks worth if antibiotics just to be on the safe side.

    Will try keeping the patches on a bit longer than three days then. Its just disconcerting when you look at it and think, the colour of that gunk can't be doing me any good :)
    Ribble New Sportive
    Specialized Pitch Pro

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