How to dress a wound on the back of my thigh (ew)

July 19, 2019 9:57 AM

I have a very annoying abrasion on the back of my thigh that is getting infected and not healing. What do I do?

From cycling, I have a small abrasion (no bigger than a quarter) on the back of my thigh near my butt, near the "crease" where your thigh starts turning into your butt. It's like a few layers of skin rubbed off from friction, leaving an open sore. The abrasion is right where I sit. I think it is getting infected/not healing, though I am washing it and putting antiseptic powder on it. Frankly, I think the problem is sweat/moisture from sitting all day and possibly also the toilet seat and bacteria (ew).

If I could just slap a band-aid on it, i would, but it is in such a difficult place for that - the skin in this area moves around and also, hair (ew).

How can I cover this wound and let it heal? Wrap the whole thigh with gauze and put a pad under that? Is there some easier solution?

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (17 answers total)

I have self-dressed some awkward wounds in my time. I'd experiment with paper surgical tape and gauze pads, leaving some slack in the gauze when you tape it to account for the movement.
posted by wellred at 10:07 AM on July 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

You want Vet Wrap (self-cohesive wrap) It stretches and gives with movement. Adapts to any shape. Comes in all direct widths, lengths, and colors.
posted by mmf at 10:12 AM on July 19, 2019 [4 favorites]

Wash it carefully with a saline solution (salt water) and dry gently. There are large, padded bandaids available that will cushion and protect the area. Wash gently morning and night. Zinc ointment may help.
If it seems to get deeper, it may be a pressure sore, and you need to see a doctor because they can get very, very nasty.
If it feels hot, you may find putting a cold pack over the bandaid will relieve the inflammation somewhat.
posted by Enid Lareg at 10:15 AM on July 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

I had terrible brush burn kind of wounds on my butt and back of thighs once (in my case caused by falling on gravel). I was recommended by my MD to clean it with sterile saline wound wash rather than any harsher antiseptic (after the initial clean in the doctor's office), and to be sure to spend time just laying on my stomach giving it open air.

So obviously there is the need for bandaging to go about your life (seconding Vet Wrap!), but also I would suggest the saline spray and open air during times that's feasible.
posted by ramble-on-prose at 10:17 AM on July 19, 2019 [4 favorites]

Tegaderm dressings are clear and breathable. Using harsh antibacterial products and soaps may also be irritating the wound more than helping, if it’s not getting dirty every day.
posted by MadamM at 10:26 AM on July 19, 2019 [5 favorites]

Also be careful with Coban/Vetwrap- they can cause pressure injuries if they’re wrapped too tightly.
posted by MadamM at 10:28 AM on July 19, 2019 [2 favorites]

The term you will want to search for is "saddle sore". Definitely take a few days off the bike.
posted by Dashy at 10:37 AM on July 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

This might be a good place for a big hydrocolloid bandage, which are often recommended for road rash (abrasions) and blisters (friction and movement). You stick them on and leave them in place for several days, and they absorb fluid which looks super weird but cushions the wound.
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:41 AM on July 19, 2019 [7 favorites]

I would try to keep it as dry as possible--my thought would be to wear bike shorts or tights close-fighting enough to hold an absorbent pad in place. The pad itself should be large enough that you don't have to position it carefully and it will keep the area covered and dry even if it shifts around a bit (like, think maxipad or incontinence pad, not a little gauze square).
posted by drlith at 10:44 AM on July 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

I REALLY enjoy this tape called Medipore. I’m very picky about tape. This stuff is soft, breathable, stretches well, water resistant, and is thin. Plus it sticks well without giving me a rash. I would probably do an ointment and gauze and keep an eye on it and check with a doctor if it spreads or gets worse.
ETA: tape in a big X across the bandage, rather than on the edges. An X shape allows more movement.
posted by Crystalinne at 10:48 AM on July 19, 2019 [3 favorites]

It's a burn and should be treated as such. Saline wash only, wet dressing if you cover it (the hydrocollodial band aids are good) and once it's closed over then transition to exposure to the air to keep it clean and allow it to dry/ heal. The powder isnt good for it, it's drying it out and everytime you move it'll crack open again and hurt.

Also it'll take a long time to heal up because it's a burn, especially if you keep aggravating it. I've seen those things last easily a couple months.
posted by fshgrl at 10:55 AM on July 19, 2019

Tegaderm dressings are clear and breathable.

Be advised that if you have any kind of sensitivity to plastics or latex these can cause an anaphylactic response, as I learned to my sincere horror post neck surgery.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:01 AM on July 19, 2019 [2 favorites]

When I got a serious burn on my calf from a fire last year, I had so many issues with the wound. Someone recommended "Second Skin" style pads for the burn and it worked like a charm while it healed.

Here is a sample

It's technically for burns but it might also work in your situation... it's very soothing and moves with the wound and provides a little bit of padding support.
posted by JenThePro at 11:16 AM on July 19, 2019 [2 favorites]

Yeah, the thinking on wounds like this now (as I understand it, as a cyclist who wrecked and spent some time in the ER talking to a doctor a few years ago about road rash on my face -- road rash that healed well, fyi) is that we don't want them to dry and scab, but for them to heal while moist. I think the idea of getting something large enough to cover it all up and then some is a good idea. It's an awkward spot indeed. I'd get some Neosporin or Vaseline on there (my ER doc and regular doc said petroleum jelly was great for this) and cover it with some sort of bandage.

A few other suggestions: could you ask a trusted love one to take a look at and cut/shave off some of the hair in the area?

Would it help if you sat on a donut pillow made for folks with hemorrhoids? If that keeps the pressure off that spot, it might help with healing.
posted by bluedaisy at 12:44 PM on July 19, 2019 [3 favorites]

Tegaderm/saniderm/duoderm. Some flavor of hydrocolloid dressing is what you’re looking for.
posted by mollymayhem at 1:13 PM on July 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

I was coming in to suggest donut pillow as well. Also, maybe a standing desk would be helpful to keep from putting pressure on it all day?
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:17 PM on July 19, 2019

nth'ing hydrocolloid dressing (e.g. duoderm).
posted by esoterrica at 2:11 PM on July 19, 2019