Puncture Wound Care

A puncture wound is normally caused when a sharp, pointed object pierces the skin, and creates a small hole. Some such wounds may be superficial, while others may penetrate deep into the skin. These may be caused by a sharp nail, piece of glass, or any other protruding objects such as wood splinters. Sometimes these wounds may become infected, as the object causing the wound may carry a bacterium that may spread into the skin and tissue. These wounds normally bleed a little, but excessive bleeding will require medical attention. Also, sometimes pieces of the object may remain behind, such as pieces of glass or splinters of wood. These should be noticed. A puncture wound infection may lead to swelling, redness and a watery discharge from the wound. The basics of caring for such a wound have been explained here.

How to Treat Puncture Wounds

Depending on the kind of puncture wound, or the object causing it, it can be taken care of at home, by following a few simple steps.

• To start with, the wound should be thoroughly examined to check for any parts of objects causing the wound left behind. This can be identified by examining the object that caused the wound. If a piece of it is missing, chances are it is stuck in the wound. In case of such an occurrence, they should be removed with a pair of sterilized tweezers.
• The wound should be allowed to bleed a little, as this helps in eliminating the dirt and bacteria that may have affected the wound. However, if the bleeding is in excess, pressure should be applied with a clean cloth or a bandage, till it stops. If the bleeding fails to stop, you may require emergency care.
• Clean your hands before you clean the wound. This will reduce the chances of an infection. Then wash the wound under running water, and use a mild soap to clean the wound if it is dirty. As mentioned earlier, any remnants of dirt or the object causing the wound should be removed with a pair of tweezers that have been sterilized. If you find this task difficult, consult a doctor.
• Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment to cover up the wound, with a piece of gauze, or a cotton swab, to protect it. Do not apply in excess as this is an open invitation for bacteria and dirt to settle on the wound. Always remember to clean the wound before reapplying the ointment. Cover up the wound with gauze and secure it with a bandage.

Puncture wound healing will take a couple of days, depending on the severity of the wound. Do not allow water to enter the wound after you have cleaned it. This means no washing or swimming. Also, the bandage should be clean and dry. Don't allow it to get wet. Change the dressing everyday till the wound heals.

Cases Where You may Have to Visit a Doctor

While a wound may heal on its own by taking the above-mentioned steps, there are some cases where you may have to visit a doctor to enable healing of the puncture wound.

• If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last six months, immediately go for one to prevent the occurrence of this disease.
• If you think there are pieces of the object that caused the wound that have not been thoroughly removed, immediately head to the doctor. A doctor might take an x-ray to look for any remnants of the object in the wound.
• If the bleeding from the wound fails to stop within 10 minutes of the accident, you ought to visit a doctor. Also, if you see blood soaking through the bandage, there may be a problem for which consulting a doctor is the best option.
• If the wound is in a sensitive area such as the neck, the head, or the chest, do not try to attempt treating it by yourself. Such puncture wounds can get severe and affect the rest of your body badly.
• It is normal for the wound to swell up slightly. However, if the swelling doesn't reduce, and you notice the discharge of pus or a bad smell emanating from the wound, chances are you have developed an infection. Fever is also another symptom of an infection. Consult a doctor for the same immediately.

Puncture wound care is an extremely sensitive issue, and only if you are sure you will be able to do it thoroughly without causing further trouble, you can attempt it. If not, it is best to consult a doctor rather than taking chances.