Doctor's Notes on Wound Care
Wounds are an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact trauma, typically where the skin is cut or broken. Types of wounds include superficial (small cuts or abrasions that leave the deep skin layer is intact), deep abrasions that go through all layers of skin and into a tissue like muscle or bone, ones caused by sharp objects entering skin, gunshot wounds, human and/or animal bites, and pressure sores (bedsores). The most common symptoms and signs of a wound are pain, swelling, and bleeding. Other signs and symptoms of more serious wounds include substantial tissue loss and/or significant damage to an internal organ like the lungs, brain, or heart with subsequent signs and symptoms that relate to the injury of the organ. Signs and symptoms of wounds that need to be medically cared for are as follows: significant force or trauma created the wound, bleeding that cannot be stopped with persistent pressure or elevation, wounds in the face including the lips or eyes and/or the wound needs to be sutured, wound is caused by an animal bite or human bite, the wound is very dirty, there is evidence of infection (redness, swelling, increased pain, and pus production), and/or the wound involves underlying organs and/or tissue loss.
Causes are numerous for wounds. Falls, road rash, stabbing, cuts from metal or glass, gunshots, blunt objects like a piece of wood, explosions, and many other items can cause wounds. Wound care (clean away dirt, stop the bleeding, assess for associated organ damage, close the wound with stitches, and other techniques and treatments) help prevent further body damage and encourage wound healing.
What Is the Treatment for Wounds?
Essentially, wound care is itself a treatment. The following is treatment of minor wounds located in the skin:
- Wash your hands before tending the wound.
- Stop the blood flow or oozing with gentle pressure using clean cloths or pads.
- Use clean flowing water and soap to clean the wound area.
- Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly.
- Cover the wound with a bandage.
- Change the wound covering as needed (once a day or when wet or dirty).
- Get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in 5 years.
- Look for signs of infection (redness, pus, drainage, swelling, pain).
Serious wounds should be cared for by medical caregivers.
Trauma and First Aid : Training and Supplies Quiz
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Cuts or Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations are both terms that apply to a tear in the skin, though a laceration implies a more jagged tear. These terms do not include abrasions where the skin is scraped away, or avulsions where the skin is torn from the flesh. Cuts and lacerations must be disinfected and sutured in more serious cases. Basic first aid may be all that is necessary for more minor wounds. Infection is the biggest medical concern when it comes to cuts or lacerations. Signs of infection include severe pain, draining pus, redness beyond the wound edges, fever and chills, and excessive wound swelling. -
Electric Shock (Causes, Treatment, After Effects)
Electric shock may result in no injury, or severe injury, even death. Causes of electric shock to infants and children include chewing on electrical cords or playing with electrical outlets. Electric shock injuries to adults are generally work-related. Symptoms of electric shock include burns, shortness of breath, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Treatment of electric shock depends on the severity of the injury. -
Puncture Wound
A puncture wound is caused by an object piercing the skin such as nails, glass, pins, or other sharp objects. A puncture wound can become infected if not treated properly. A tetanus booster may be necessary for some puncture wounds. -
Removing Stitches (Sutures)
Stitches or sutures are methods used to close wounds, cuts, lacerations, or surgical procedures. There are two types of sutures, absorbable and nonabsorbable. Other methods of closing open wounds include surgical staples, skin closure tape, and adhesive agents. Sutures should be removed by a health care professional. Complications from sutures include keloids, wound infection or reopening, excessive scarring, and hypertrophic scars. -
Suture Care
Sutures, or stitches, are the most commonly used method to fix a cut or wound. Other methods are: skin adhesives or glue, Steri-Strips, butterfly bandages, or leaving skin openings alone in some cases. -
Tetanus (Lockjaw)
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 animal feces. Tetanus symptoms and signs include muscle cramps, lockjaw, weakness, and difficulty swallowing. A tetanus shot/vaccine is used to prevent tetanus. Tetanus treatment includes antibiotics, wound cleansing, pain medicine, sedatives to control muscle spasms, and IV fluids.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.