My snakebite photos (trigger warning)

[NiceGuyEddie]

I don’t know how it happened. After 15 years and about 17,000 miles I simply made a mistake. I don’t imagine my leg was on the sidepipe for any more than 2/10th of a second.

The first 24 hours felt and looked like nothing more than a 1st degree sunburn. Then the dermis peeled. The burn went all the way down to the sweat glands, so the area was almost always watery. It was so painful I walked with a cane for about 3 weeks. Awful, awful pain. If it were the “hospital scale” I’d say it was an 8.

When waking up at night and having to use the toilet, I’d have to stand there for a good 2-3 minutes for the pain to subside so I could put even the slightest weight on the leg.

After 3 weeks, the burn skinned over and the pain went away for the most part.

I treated it with prescription silver nitrate, but my leg swelled up. I then switched to an over-the-counter “CVS Health Anti-Microbial Silver Non-Staining Clear Gel” which is similar. I had a reaction to that as well so I switched to Polysporin. I changed the bandage at least twice daily. Teflon-coated, non-stick gauze is good stuff.

I have 15-year-old ceramic coated sidepipes from Factory Five. I heard the bare metal ones that some paint with BBQ paint run even hotter.

I was expecting scar tissue. The skin is perfectly smooth, but I have no idea if the slight redness will ever go away.

BE CAREFUL – especially with your passengers!

134565
134566
134567
134568
134564

[RoadRacer]

Dang! That's crazy considering what it looked like on Day 0.

I did have something similar happen once when I pinched skin on my calf between two 45lb weights.. it ended up killing some muscle and now I have a hole there.

Bodies are clever how they heal though

P.S. I was literally expecting a snake bite....

[NiceGuyEddie]

Day 0 barely hurt at all. I have a (relatively) heavy clutch and there were no problems driving the car, not even 24 hours later.

I actually have a GoPro video of the incident - it's hood-cam and you can't see me but when I get out I simply say, "Ouch." That's it. :)

[Papa]

Ouch!!! I don't have near the time with the car as others, but every time I get in or out, I'm aware of the pipe. My first club event earlier this year, I saw one fresh burn (GTBradley) and one that happened to a passenger of one of the other club members. My wife was with me on that day and after we got home, she picked out a set of heat shields for our car. They won't eliminate the chance of getting burned, but will reduce it. I always warn passengers and anyone standing near the car when the pipes are hot of the burn danger, and with my wife, I help her in and out of the car every time she rides with me. I may still do the heat blankets that you lay over the pipe when you open the door.

[NiceGuyEddie]

I have four rules for passengers:

1. The sidepipes are HOT
2. The door is a potato chip, do not use it to support yourself when getting in or out
3. The windsheild post is weak, do not use it to support yourself when getting in or out
4. Please tell me if I left this little light (turn signal) on
5. The sidepipes are HOT

I of course screwed up on both 1 & 5. :p

[GTBradley]

Mine looked almost exactly the same. The difference for me though, was that I got the worst one after I installed the heat shields. At the Shelby American Collection in Boulder, I stepped extra far back to avoid something else thinking I was okay...because I installed heat shields. Kinda feels like circular logic. I have since repositioned the shields as far aft as possible.

[NiceGuyEddie]

I got a slight snakebite on the front of my shin when the car was hot and up on a 8" platform. This was at the collector(s) - I simply wasn't used to where the pipes were.

[Topfuelhydro]

Dang that's bad. I never use the door and always step out over it without opening. That being said I have burned my legs and shins 3 or 4 times not paying attention when working under the hood. Some are just as bad as yours. Still have the scars. I have burned my forearms and upper arms dozens of times working on drag boats where the headers are upside down. I have several scars still from 20 years ago. Usually they all just hurt for 2 or 3 days then fade to nothing with no movement impairments but I have a high pain tolerance. It may very well stay red for a long time or never go completely away. Good luck with it and I bet you won't do it again. For a week or two any way. :D

Steven

[phileas_fogg]

That is a grievous wound.

Forgive me if I'm telling you what you already know, but I can't help but think you *might* have lessened its seriousness by cooling immediately with a washcloth or dish towel soaked in cold water until the area feels cool to the touch.

Good move on the silver coated bandages; they really knock down the chance of infection. My go-to brand is Mepilex; the foam backing does a great job soaking up the ooze.


John

[NiceGuyEddie]

John is correct – I know First Aid quite well, but I had absolutely no idea how bad the burn was. Next time I’ll know, but there won’t be a next time!

[GoDadGo]

Sorry You Got Bit But Thanks For Posting!

I'm now planning to order a pair of small welding blankets that will be affixed to the cockpit so that we can simply throw them over the pipes when we exit.
No, they aren't cheap, but the look of your leg doesn't thrill me and it shows that this WILL happen to us all either sooner or later.
Mrs. Go-Dad just advised me that she doesn't know how she'll get out of our Red Roadster in heels, which is what she typically wears.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hsp-931025

Your Burn Will Be Saving Our Legs So Thanks For Taking One Team Go-Dad!

[Papa]

Sorry You Got Bit But Thanks For Posting!

I'm now planning to order a pair of small welding blankets that will be affixed to the cockpit so that we can simply throw them over the pipes when we exit.
No, they aren't cheap, but the look of your leg doesn't thrill me and it shows that this WILL happen to us all either sooner or later.
Mrs. Go-Dad just advised me that she doesn't know how she'll get out of our Red Roadster in heels, which is what she typically wears.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hsp-931025

Your Burn Will Be Saving Our Legs So Thanks For Taking One Team Go-Dad!

Steve,

These smaller versions may well provide all the protection you need. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hsp-931019?rrec=true

Dave

[bobm488]

I burnt the back of by calf by backing up into the side pipe collectors. It hurt for a month. My leg modeling days are over for ever.

[mike223]

I always try to warn any passenger - watch the sidepipe, it'll mark you for 5 years.

[cobrajj]

My passengers were still getting burned by the exhaust tip, so I found a welding blanket 12" x 12" locally. I slip it over the pipe, before helping the passenger out. No more burns!134621134622134623

[cobrajj]

As I recall, the blanket cost was around $15.00.

[Big Blocker]

Eddie,

I feel your pain . . . Been there, done that. I also have pictures of my "snake bite" from years ago, somewhere buried in my phone or computer. My leg hurts every time I think about it - or see someone else's "bite". Good choice on the antibiotics. I can tell you from experience, it saved what was a very bad infection from spreading farther up my leg. I still have the red spot, don't expect it will ever go away. But on that note, it's a great reminder of what not to do.

FWIW, I never let any one out of my car until I was standing right there to guide their leg. Always warned onlookers that the "pipes are still [very] hot" when parking where people could wander over for a look.

Heal fast, stay safe and healthy . . .

Doc

[tonywy]

That happened to me on my Harley "once", still have the mark.

[ydousurf]

NiceGuyEddie,

What can I say - damn! I'm so sorry to see that :( I think we can all feel your pain and thanks for sharing this. It's something we all need to be aware, since it can and will happen!

So, my questions (not to hijack the thread) are:

Could a person use some heat wrap in combination with the side pipe protection that Dave (Papa) has installed or something similar and do you think that would be sufficient to prevent a burn or would you still need a preventive "flip-out" blanket as well? Does anyone have that kind of protection in place? Is it effective?

I bring this up since that is a serious nasty bite! And if I can learn from someone's unfortunate situation or bad luck if you want to call it that, well, then I surely want too! As the builder/driver getting the bite, well, so be it. I just don't want a passenger to ever get bit like that. Anyway, I'm just planning ahead...

All the best Eddie on complete healing & recovery!

Dj

[GTBradley]

Dj, anything will help. In fact the easiest fix is: don't wear shorts. Jeans will protect you just fine. The problem is that the skin in that area is just too delicate. I’ve put my hand on the center of the side pipe at full temperature and while I could only keep it there a faction of a second it did no damage at all and with less time on the pipe your calf will complain at you for weeks.

[mburger]

I’ve posted pics of the result of my carelessness here as well. Brown spots still there 3 years later.
Pic for attention.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134647&d=1599019482

[mike223]

To avoid a complete highjack - I'm going to start a new thread about the extra scoop and the vents in the trunk and around the tail light...

[GoDadGo]

The Welding Blankets Have Been Ordered!
.....Mrs. Go-Dad's Leg Is Worth The Investment!

[NiceGuyEddie]

Not to ALSO hijack my own post, but I am going through hair rejuvenation by a process called Microneedling & PRP. (Platelet-Rich-Plasma.) The procedure was originally developed for the treatment of acne scars. The procedure is also used to treat scars of other types. What they do is take your own blood, put it in a centrifuge, and separate the plasma. They then put it on your skin and go over it with a Microneedle, it works like a tattoo needle but it's much smaller.

Anyway, while I'm there, the doctor wants to run over the red spot on my leg to see if the redness will go away.

I'll post a picture if the redness goes away. So for the natural healing process has leveled off and there seems to be no more improvement.

(YES - the procedure is working for my hair....)

[Vegasjack]

You left one-thing out.
6. the sidepipes are really hellahot.

[NiceGuyEddie]

At work, we have a FLIR camera with imaging and surface temperature readings, but it does not work well on shiny surfaces or even gloss white surfaces. I took a reading of my sidepipe once and it was "out of range."

Any idea of how hot they run?

[Papa]

I've measure just under 500 degrees (header at the head) and about 350 degrees at the side pipe collector.

[Duke]

This is reason #1 I did under car exhaust. With my wife and two little girls, the first snake bite and they would have me selling it. It also reduces the left ear ringing while driving and not having to sacrifice exhaust volume.

https://i.postimg.cc/T1Kj0Svm/2017_DukeCobra_iphone1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/D4KbyxZy)

[ThreeSpore]

That happened to me on my Harley "once", still have the mark.

omg yes. I was reaching over the tank at a stop light one day as something was stuck in my forks and landed on the pipe with the inch of skin exposed between my summer gloves and jacket. Had that mark for ten years to remind me not to do it again. I can still see the remnants of my skin sizzling on the pipe when I realized and pulled it away.

[mburger]

This is reason #1 I did under car exhaust. With my wife and two little girls, the first snake bite and they would have me selling it. It also reduces the left ear ringing while driving and not having to sacrifice exhaust volume.

https://i.postimg.cc/T1Kj0Svm/2017_DukeCobra_iphone1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/D4KbyxZy)

Love your car!

[cob427sc]

Also been there - done it. Worst was the time I reached over the hood to unlatch the hood and the sand under my shoes made my shoes slip with me falling with both naked shins against the pipes. Bad, bad, burns right to the shin bone. Now, over 20 years later I still have the scars and no nerve feeling in that area.

[NiceGuyEddie]

I have started a series of scar tissue treatments called micro-needling. Micro-needling is used to treat acne scars, for general skin rejuvenation, and even grow hair. It's very similar to a tattoo needle but much thinner. Basically, the needle is passed over the skin and the micro needle is supposed to encourage healing and re-growth of new tissue. Immediately after treatment of the scar area, it looks worse - like a bright red sunburn, but it goes away in 3 days. We'll see how it goes.

I'm actually doing micro-needling on my hair, and it's working well. While I'm at at it, the doctor is doing my leg for free. It only takes him about 30 seconds.

[marshc56]

That happened to me on my Harley "once", still have the mark.

I, too, got bit by the exhaust of a Harley. I was about 9 or 10 y.o. and went with my dad to the local car wash. Getting off the back of the bike, my (then) short legs weren't able to get far enough away from the pipes and my left leg caught the pipe on the inside of my calf. The spray from the car wash helped cool the burn while we were there. I still wear the "brand" to this day. :P And that was in 1965.

marsh

[ronsdream]

I ordered 2 black welding blankets and had them embroidered with the Factory Five Logo and added "Hot Pipes" below the Logo. Works very nicely. No Snake bites here:rolleyes:

[Rook]

Oof, sorry to see that! Thanks for sharing your story. I like the idea of stitching or Velcro-ing some welding blankets to the door sill that can be rolled out when exiting the car. Does anybody out there have pictures of that kind of setup? Is it even practical given the space between the door and the seats?

[NiceGuyEddie]

139488
139489
139490
139491
139492
139493
139494

Just an update, today is day #184 so that a little over half a year. It seems the healing process has leveled off, and the last square is what I'm left with.

Be careful out there!

EDIT: See two posts below, I don't know what happened.

[Bob Cowan]

Links are invalid.

[EZ$]

Eddie, I was just thinking about this thread the other day, and was wondering how it all healed. Unfortunately, I'm still wondering. The attachments that are in your post come up as "invalid, contact an administrator". I'd be interested to see the progress. Might even make copies of the photos, and let people that want to go for a ride know what could happen if they are not careful and conscious of what they're doing.

I do hope that it has healed with not too much scaring.

[NiceGuyEddie]

139665139666139667139668139669139670139671

I don't know why the photos suddenly came invalid.

[Bob Cowan]

It's just a flesh wound. I've had worse. :)

[the911s]

That is absolutely gnarly. Very worried about an unsuspecting child (mine or someone else’s) touching these pipes. Has anyone tried wrapping them permanently using something like header wrap and know if it brings the temp down to something safer? At least 2nd and not 3rd degree burn territory? Ideal setup would be something removable or that actually looks ok for show-off but can’t think of something off the top of my head. I suppose you could rig up an ugly custom aluminum heat shield with standoffs from the pipes that’s removable.

[NiceGuyEddie]

The answer is yes, there are many ways to cool down the sidepipes. One is wrap, the other is a heat shield and you are correct - it (allegedly) keeps it down to 2nd or 1st degree burns. Uncoated sidepipes are even hotter, mine are ceramic coated.

It's not common for kids to run up and touch the sidepipes of cars, I suppose it's just as likely they will touch a motorcycle.

In any case, for those that have kids, you have to be careful even when pulling into the garage. Keep the kids away for at least 15 minutes.

I do have to mention again the absolutely excruciating pain days 3-14. I had to walk with a cane, and I was barely mobile. Pain reliever didn't help, and it was hard to sleep. When waking up in the middle of the night to use the toilet - after standing up, the pain was so bad I had to wait 1-2 minutes to take just one step.

I plan to never drive in shorts again, nor will my passengers. Although a friend of mine who was a passenger burned the back of his leg pretty bad, he had pants on, but ankle-socks and just enough skin was showing to pssssssssssssssssssssssst

[Jeff's First FFR]

Heat sheilds AND WELDING BLANKETS are the way to go.
Harbor Freight has huge welding blanket cheap. Fits between seat and door. Just throw it out first.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Got my first StingRay Sting in 1968. 2nd degree burn.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/700x361/80-427bearvette_36fd819eeb4af1fe7ce8c2b74cac120da147d 0fc.jpg

Had the factory type (Hooker Headers) off road side pipes not the ones you see at all the auctions. Bought Mikes shields for the COBRA as soon as I bought the car.

[phileas_fogg]

Beware synthetic pants, like the zip-off leg kind hikers like, or polyester-wool blend dress pants. The material will melt into your skin, and that's a world you don't want to know about.


John