Wounds & Injuries

Cauterization is the surgical process of burning of tissues surrounding a wound. This is done with the intention of closing the flesh to allow it to heal and to prevent blood loss. Cauterization...

Infections in wounds can not only prolong a patient's recovery but do them additional injury. When a wound shows signs of being infected (it may be slow to heal, issue a purulent discharge or give...

Puncture wounds to the foot are most often caused by animal bites, shards of glass or objects such as nails or screws. A puncture wound can be very dangerous if not treated immediately, as a...

Wounds can easily become infected without the proper care and maintenance. The chance of infection drastically increases when the skin is punctured, opening a window for bacteria to enter the...

The scientific or medical term for cleaning a wound from the inside out is "debridement." Depending on how the wound happened, this may mean flushing out any contaminating material, such as dirt...

An open wound is caused by a skin injury, such as a cut, a scrape, a puncture, an animal bite, a splinter or a burn. Wounds can become infected and cause severe complications if not treated properly.

Infections and other ailments caused by bacteria and similar microorganisms occur more frequently than we'd like to believe. Luckily, modern medicine has provided a number of tools that help to...

Gangrene is caused when a section of the body loses blood supply and decays, eventually resulting in cellular death. Gangrene is often associated with a wound or injury. There are several types of...

Eucalyptus oil is noted for its ability to kill germs and bacteria. It also is used for its many health benefits--it is present in many brands of mouthwash, toothpaste, soap and household cleaners.

Sir Alexander Fleming is one of history's most prized persons. Fleming's work is incredibly significant to humanity--his discovery of penicillin was nearly an accident, but the results have saved...

If you suspect an infection, you should get yourself, or the person affect, to a hospital immediately. Even the most mundane infection can result in the surgical removal of tissue and possibly...

In hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient breathes pure oxygen while in a sealed chamber with increased atmospheric pressure. The therapy is well known for its effectiveness in treating the...

Toenail fungus can be embarrassing. You may feel discouraged and destined to never wear flip flops again. Hiding your toes is not the answer. There are actually simple home remedies to cure...

Tetanus, which is preventable through immunization (tetanus immune globulin), affects the nervous system and can be fatal. Generalized tetanus is the most common kind, but it can be localized,...

There are many prescription and over-the-counter antibiotics available in your local drugstore or supermarket pharmacy. An antibiotic works by killing the bacteria that can cause infections. Many...

Tongue rings have become quite a fashion trend over the last decade. There are a myriad of reasons people get their tongues pierced, ranging from rebellion against their parents to sexual...

Wound infections occur when bacteria enters through a break in the skin. People with weak immune systems most illnesses are more susceptible to wound infections. If you think you may have an...

A piercing can be an interesting and sometimes painful experience. Proper care and responsibility can make the fun and fashion worth it.

Hydrogen peroxide has a slightly blue color, though it looks clear if diluted in water. Chemically speaking, it is a weak acid, which means it has a pH somewhat lower than 7. More importantly, it...

Cleaning wounds prevents infection. While dirt and grit will irritate the wound, they also carry a much greater risk of infection from the bacteria that they contain. For any newly formed wound,...

Puncture wounds are injuries that occur when a sharp object is able to penetrate the skin. Common puncture wounds occur when people inadvertently step on nails or are bitten by a dog or a cat....

Splinters are any foreign body that become partially or completely embedded in the skin. Any time a foreign body comes into contact with broken skin, a risk of infection is possible. Most...

Puncture wounds are often sustained by long sharp objects protruding from the ground or out of a wall. These puncture wounds are often caused by rusty nails or sharp pieces of wood or other metal....

The word tetanus is frightening for most people. It conjures up thoughts of lockjaw and death. Pediatricians and parents ensure children receive their tetanus immunizations. However, most adults...