How to Identify Puncture Wounds

Anyone who has ever worked around the house, in the garden or at the office, school or place of employment know that every once in a while something pokes and breaks your skin, This is called a puncture wound and most of the time they are minor in nature and can treated at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tweezers,
• Cold water
• Protective clothing
• Tetanus shot
• Bandage

1. Look at the part of your body that is bleeding. A puncture wound is usually narrower and deeper than a cut or scrape. Sharp objects can cause puncture wounds so be aware of your surroundings and wear protective clothing when working around sharp objects. An example would be to use garden gloves when working with yard tools.

2. Observe where the blood is coming from. If there is an object in there like a nail or tack or needle, assure that it is intact and a piece has not broken off inside the wound.

3. Remove the foreign object from your body. If you have a splinter use tweezers or a needle to try and remove the broken embedded part. Do not push the splinter deeper into your skin it make it more difficult to remove.

4. Do not panic if you are bleeding. A wound should be allowed to bleed freely for a few minutes to clean itself out. After a few minutes you may stop the bleeding by adding direct pressure to the wounded area.

5. Clean the wound as soon as possible to reduce the chance of infection and scarring. Assure that all the dirt is removed from the puncture, wash the wound with large amounts of cool water and mild soap.

6. Tend to the wound without using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These items may cause harm to the tissue and prolong the healing process

7. Remember when you had your last tetanus shot. When a person has a puncture wound from a metal object, like a needle, nails, rusted piece of steel, you may have to seek medical attention to assure that your shots are up to date and you do not run the risk of a more serious injury

8. Relieve the pain from a small puncture wound by soaking it in warm water for around twenty minutes two or three times a day for the following four or five days. The warm water will increase the blood flow to the injured area and will help reduce the chance of an infection. Keep the wound clean and if necessary cover with a band aide to keep it clean

9. Seek medical attention if the wound does not stop bleeding or if signs of infection occur such as red puffiness or pus or if the wound does not look like it is healing properly

Tips & Warnings

• If the wound looks serious contact medical assistance as soon as possible. Excessive bleeding is a sign of a more serious injury

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