Puncture Wounds
Whenever a sharp object stabbed or hit you, then you are most likely to acquire puncture wounds. It is characterized by an opening of the skin that is caused by whatever sharp object has penetrated your skin. The opening exposes your skin and tissues from germs and dirt. Hence, it is important to
Cleaning Puncture Wounds
If you managed to puncture yourself, cleaning the wound is one of the first things you need to take care of. Use clear water to wash off the wound. If there are foreign particles that are left inside your skin from the sharp object that caused the wound, you can use a sterile tweezer to take it out. If the particles are larger, then you can leave it to the doctor.
Tetanus is one of the biggest risks and complications involved with puncture wounds. Hence, thorough cleaning is very important. Use clean water and soap to wash around the area. Then, wipe it off with a clean piece of cloth or towel.
Protecting the Wound
After cleaning the wound, you must apply bandage around it. Although air is important to speed up the healing process, you cannot risk the possibility of acquiring harmful bacteria. This is important to avoid germs and other harmful substances from getting inside your skin and into the tissues, particularly for wide and open wounds. Make sure that the piece of cloth you use as bandage is clean. Check the material you use if it can cause allergic reactions and look for some other safe alternatives.
You also have to replace the wound dressing regularly to avoid infection. When unwrapping the bandage, do it carefully. If the bandage sticks to the skin, use warm water to loosen it up. However, never force the bandage off of your skin.
Controlling Bleeding
Puncture wounds and even minor cuts on your skin can cause bleeding. Depending on the extent of your wound, one can excessively bleed. Therefore, you need to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. In fact, this should be one of your priorities when you see anyone wounded and bleeding.
Apply pressure on the wound while raising the wounded body part above the heart level. If the bleeding persists after a few tries, then medical assistance is necessary.
Treating Deep and Wide Puncture Wounds
Deep puncture wounds include those wounds with unknown depth, which commonly happen on the chest, back, abdomen, thigh, or pelvis. Due to the severity of the wound, bleeding is often more pervasive than any other types of puncture wounds. These injuries are also serious to the point of being fatal. Hence, you must seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Any form of deep puncture wounds must be sealed or covered with a clean dressing to prevent air from coming in. However, some victims have more difficulty when you seal deep puncture wounds. When this happens, immediately take out the dressing.
For wide puncture wounds, stitching might be necessary. The number of stitches will vary depending on exactly how wide the wound is. This is important to close up the skin and prevent harmful bacteria from entering the wound.
Using Antibiotics
For minor cases of punctured wounds, you can apply antibiotics after cleaning the wound. There are several antibiotic ointment or cream available in the market such as Polysporin or Neosporin. The cream will help moisten the skin surface and fight off infection. The use of antibiotics does not contribute to the healing of the wound, however.
Be careful when you use antibiotic creams or ointments though since certain individuals are allergic to them. If signs of rashes begin to appear upon using the antibiotic, stop using it.
When to Consult a Doctor
The guidelines above are intended for initial treatment of puncture wounds. Therefore, it is highly advised to see a doctor if anyone of the following conditions appear:
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