1. First Aid Essentials Slideshow Pictures
2. First Aid Bandaging Injuries Slideshow Pictures
3. First Aid Sprains & Strains Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Scott D. Fell, DO, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

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.

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If medical attention is not readily available, the following guidelines are recommended in treating a puncture wound:

• Immerse the affected area in water as hot as the person can tolerate for 30 to 90 minutes. Repeat as necessary to control pain (water temperature should not exceed 140 F or 60 C).
• Some stings may require an injected local anesthetic for pain relief.
• Use tweezers to remove any spines in the wound because symptoms may not resolve until all spines have been removed. Occasionally the spines may remain in the wound, and will require a health care professional to remove them. Scrub the wound with soap and water followed by extensive rinsing with fresh water.
• Do not cover the wound with tape or any other type of occlusive dressing as it may increase the risk of an infection. A tetanus booster is often recommended for patients with these types of wounds.
• Apply hydrocortisone cream 2 to 3 times daily as needed for itching. Discontinue immediately if any signs of infection appear.
• Oral antibiotics are usually recommended to treat an infection.