A turf burn is a common injury among individuals who play sports especially soccer and football. It is important to note that a turf burn is caused by friction which produces heat and the removal of some layers of skin, resulting to a painful and unappealing abrasion. The proper treatment for a turf burn is vital to hasten the healing, prevent the development of infection as well as minimize the potential for scarring.
Among those who play sports, enrolling in a course on first aid is a must so that proper measures can be carried out to promote proper healing of the injury.
Steps in managing turf burns
- Initially, apply pressure using a sterile gauze or clean cloth in order to control the bleeding. The bleeding from most cases of turf burns typically stops in a few minutes of pressure but the weeping of clear fluids can continue after the bleeding has stopped.
- You have to clean the turf burn using saline solution by gently rinsing it to disinfect the wound and remove any debris or dirt that might be sticking to the damaged tissue. It is also recommended to add ΒΌ teaspoon of non-iodized salt such as kosher salt or sea salt to clean water to create a saline solution. Do not use chemicals such as iodine, peroxide and alcohol when cleaning since these can cause unnecessary pain and further damage on the turf burn.
- Hydrogel must be liberally applied on the surface of the turf burn. The hydrogel will keep the abrasion moist once it is dressed. This is a vital element in the proper healing of turf burns. Take note that moist wound dressings drastically reduce the healing time, prevent infection from developing as well as minimize pain.
- Wrap the turf burn using occlusive dressing. These dressings provide a damp setting in which the turf burn can heal. Occlusive dressings are readily available in pharmacies and range from adhesive films as well as waterproof bandages. Any product that seals the area as well as keeping it moist will promote the healing as well as help prevent scarring and scabbing.
- The dressing must be changed after 1-2 days to ensure that the turf burn is still moist and has no indications of infection such as foul odor or increasing redness. You can apply additional hydrogel and utilize a new occlusive dressing when bandaging a turf burn. Most cases of turf burns can heal in a span of a week using a damp dressing. Once the abrasion is replaced with new skin, you can remove the dressing.
Important considerations to bear in mind
In case the turf burn causes severe pain or affects a large area of the body, it is best to seek immediate medical attention. The turf burn should be shielded with protective clothing over the bandaged part to prevent reinjuring the area.