best ways to take care of a good graze and minimize scaring the natrual way?

Hi everybody,

Yesterday was not my lucky day, I got a 10km race and at the first corner I totally lost my grip on some dirt and hit the ground hard getting a good set of grazes on my left knee/leg. I finished in 45:30 so don't feel sorry ;) (I am getting to a 5km under 20min soon)

Being 811rv with lots of energy, that 10k was not enough for the day, so I wanted to take my new 29er bike out for an other spin but I am still getting used to SPD pedals and forgot I was still attached and just felt over on the parking place grazing my other knee...yes not so smart.

So now I got two grazed knees..

I first cleaned it with my drinking water (distilled water) but one of my trainers wanted to put a gauze on it and some iodine-based antiseptic (betadine). I just let them do it.. didn't see much harm in it?

A few hours later I just cleaned everything again under the shower.

So how should one treat a graze the next couple of days/weeks?

- Are iodine-based antiseptic sensible to use?
- Is it OK to keep making it wet when showering (I will keep training)?
- When the scab (crust) hardens, should I treat it with something? (skin of some fruit?)
- How can one minimise scar tissue?

Hugs!

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Permalink Reply by Nate on June 25, 2012 at 11:33am

I like iodine better than hydrogen peroxide because it won't eat away at the wound as it tries to heal. Aloe vera gel has exceptional healing properties. You may be able to buy a big aloe leaf at a grocery store and scoop out the gel on the inside. Scroll down in this article to the section entitled "Throw out your toxic first aid kid: Aloe vera makes everything else obsolete"

Also I'm not sure if you're familiar with Earthing, but getting grounded with your bare skin on the earth is supposed to help speed healing by preventing inflammation.

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Permalink Reply by Jelle on June 25, 2012 at 8:47pm

Thanks Nate for taking the time to answer. Now to only find some fresh aloe vera gel in The Netherlands....

Aloe vera makes most first aid kits obsolete. You can get rid of all those silly, toxic first aid sprays (antibacteria sprays, lotions, bandages, etc.) and just replace them all with aloe vera. I've been known to pack small chunks of aloe vera gel inside wounds that ultimately healed with zero scarring. As the aloe vera dries, it actually contracts, pulling the wound shut and keeping it completely free of dangerous bacteria. Plus, it provides nourishment to the wound tissue itself. It's also perfect for use on animals, because if they lick the wound, they won't be licking the toxic chemicals found in most first aid products.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/021858.html#ixzz1ynSy4pR6

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Permalink Reply by Jelle on June 26, 2012 at 1:54am

I can't find fresh Aloe Vera in The Netherlands, I did find these products

http://www.miracleofaloe.com/Miracle-Ointment-1oz/productinfo/1471/

...but it contains synthetic conservatives and vitamins, hmm PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil doesn't seem healthy http://www.thesmartmama.com/understanding-labels-peg-40-hydrogenate...

I like to think that if I can drink it its probably a better product with less chemicals, I am not going to drink it (its looks like the same marketing they use for garlic) but apply to the skin.

http://www.aloelixir-online.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&produ...