Puncture Wound
A puncture wound results when a sharp object penetrates the skin; some puncture wounds are minor, penetrating only the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. Other puncture wounds can go deep, puncturing the deeper dermis, even the deep tissues such as fat and muscle. Puncture wounds are particularly susceptible to infection because they are caused by a foreign object - a possibly contaminated object - entering the body tissue. Thus, cleaning a puncture wound immediately is very important. Puncture wounds often bleed very little; the problem with this, is that bleeding helps to force contamination and germs out of a wound. Thus, it is very important to thoroughly clean a puncture wound as soon as any bleeding slows, before any bandaging occurs. Even after initial cleaning, puncture wounds remain susceptible to outside dirt and bacteria; deep puncture wounds are even more susceptible, as the wound can provide a direct route for infectious material to penetrate into the deep tissues of the body. In most cases of puncture, a tetanus shot is recommended if the patient has not had one within the last ten years. Protecting a puncture wound with an ointment, such as Wound-Be-Gone®, is the best way to speed healing, ward off infection, and prevent scar formation.
Learn More About Wounds and Wounds Healing: | ABRASION | ARTERIAL ULCER | BLISTER | CESAREAN SECTION | COLD SORE | CRACKED HEEL | HANGNAIL | PUNCTURE WOUND | SCAB FORMATION | SCAR FORMATION | SCRAPE | SKIN TEAR | SURGICAL INCISION | WOUND CONTAMINATION | MOIST HEALING | FREE OXYGEN RADICALS | ACUTE WOUNDS | CHRONIC WOUNDS | WOUND HEALING PROCESS
