The treatment of road burn-the abrasions caused by falling on an asphalt or gravel surface, such as a school yard-can be eased and expedited by the application of a topical anesthetic.
The treatment of road burn-the abrasions caused by falling on an asphalt or gravel surface, such as a school yard-can be eased and expedited by the application of a topical anesthetic.
Apply lidocaine gel and allow it to remain on the wound for a few minutes. Then, use a "cyto brush" (the type used to obtain a Papanicolaou smear) to gently remove the dirt from the abrasion.
The patients, usually children, rarely complain, and the results are superior to any other technique I have tried.
--Catherine Kroll, DO
Gwinn, Mich