How to Clean Puncture Wounds

Puncture wounds can be caused by stepping on a nail or catching skin with a staple. They rarely ever bleed very much, which can make many people think that they will heal on their own. In reality, though, puncture wounds require the same amount of care as any other wound, if not more, given the risk of infection. It is vital that you clean a puncture wound promptly to reduce this risk. Read on to learn how to clean puncture wounds.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Disinfectant
• Irrigation syringe
• Clean water
• Clean bandages
• Tweezers

1. Stop the wound from bleeding as much as possible by applying pressure to the injury. More profuse bleeding as a result of a puncture wound is usually an indication that a blood vessel has been injured, so stopping the bleeding may be problematic.

2. Check the wound for signs of remaining debris. Debris in wounds are the main cause of infections like tetanus.

3. Clean puncture wounds using an irrigation syringe. The syringe is used to remove debris that may be deeper in the wound. It is uncomfortable for the patient, but is one of the best ways to clean the wound.

4. Remove more visible debris from the surface area of the wound using tweezers or a similar grasping tool. Ensure that the tweezers are sterilized to prevent the spread of infection.

5. Be sure to remove any bits of clotted blood from the wound that are not actually a part of the healing process. Random bits of clotted blood can be detrimental to the healing of the wound.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a sports bottle that has a squirt-type top if you don't have access to a true irrigation syringe. Fill the bottle with water and use it to flush out particles or debris from the wound without posing serious risk to the injured tissue.
• Never pull out an object that is still embedded in a person's flesh. The object itself is reducing the chance for profuse bleeding, and pulling the object out will remove that protection. Leave the object where it is and seek prompt emergency medical attention.
• Avoid using alcohol on open puncture wounds, as alcohol can further damage injured tissue.
• Always see your doctor if the puncture wounds are the result of an animal bite. You may face the possibility of contracting rabies from the wound.

Resources

• First Aid Guide on Mayoclinic.com
• Info About Puncture Wounds on WebMD.com

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