About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 20, 2013
Font Size
A
A
A
«Previous
1
...
4
5
6
7
8
...
Next»

Puncture Wound (cont.)

Medical Author:
Barbara J Blasko, MD
Coauthor:
Scott E Rudkin, MD
Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

View Full Profile

Puncture Wound Treatment

Puncture Wound Self-Care at Home

  • First, check to see that nothing is left in the wound.
  • Check to see if the object that caused the wound is intact. If a piece is missing, it may be stuck in the wound.
  • Allow the wound to bleed freely, but if bleeding is heavy or squirting out, apply pressure until it stops.
  • If bleeding won't stop, the patient will need emergency care.
  • The basics of wound care
    • Stop the bleeding: Minor puncture wounds and cuts usually stop bleeding without any treatment. If not, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. If the blood spurts or continues after several minutes of pressure, emergency care is necessary.
    • Clean the wound: The person that cleans the wound needs first to wash their hands; ideally, the person should wear sterile gloves. People may spread bacteria into the wound if their hands are not clean. Cleanse the wound; wash with water. People can use a mild soap such as Ivory if the wound is very dirty. If dirt or debris remains in the wound, clean a pair of tweezers with alcohol and remove the dirt. If a person cannot get the dirt or debris out, the patient's doctor should be notified or they should go to an urgent care or emergency center.
    • Protect the wound: An antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin can be used. Apply a thin layer over the wound. This will help coat and protect the wound. Large amounts of ointment are not helpful because they can attract bacteria. Apply the ointment with a clean swab or gauze. Do not apply directly from the tube in order to avoid contamination of the tube. Ointments can be applied up to 3 times a day, but individuals should always clean the wound before applying ointment.

Must Read Articles Related to Puncture Wound

Finger Infection
Finger Infection Finger infections can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses. Types of finger infections include paronychia, felon, herpetic whitlow, cellulitis, infect...learn more >>
Tetanus
Tetanus Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by contamination of wounds from the bacteria Clostridium tetani, or the spores they produce that live in the soil, and a...learn more >>
See the Entire Puncture Wound Topic Guide »
Print

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Puncture Wound - Causes

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What was the cause of your puncture wound?

View 25 Comments | Submit Your Comment
Print
Privacy Policy

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

Please acknowledge your agreement




Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Wound Care »

This article discusses the management of chronic wounds.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


Featured Topics

Topics Related to Puncture Wound

First Aid & Injuries Topics

Medical Dictionary


or A-Z List
Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies