Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Puncture Wounds

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Puncture Wounds

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: May 2002
Last Revision Date: May 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

What is a puncture wound?

A puncture wound is a wound made by a sharp, pointed object.
Some common objects that cause puncture wounds are nails, pins, teeth, and bullets.
Symptoms of the wound can include pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling.

Can I treat it at home or should I seek medical care?

Some puncture wounds cause very little bleeding. If the wound is small, it can probably be treated at home.
Wounds that bleed through a bandage need professional medical care. Call your doctor.
Large wounds or wounds that bleed a lot need professional medical care.
Wounds that have objects or small pieces stuck in them need professional medical care.
If an animal or human bite draws blood, the wound should be treated by a doctor.

How do I care for a puncture wound?

It is important to keep the wound clean. Wash your hands before giving first aid.
If the wound is large and bleeding, do not wash it. It needs professional medical attention.
Wash a smaller puncture wound with a stream of soap and warm water.
Cover it with a clean bandage. Keep the bandage clean and dry. Change it daily or change it if it gets wet.
Do not pull large objects from a wound or stick things in it to try to clean it.
Wash the wound every day. Soak it in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes.
Do not swim with a puncture wound.

How will a doctor care for the wound?

Doctors do not usually use stitches to treat puncture wounds.
The doctor may give you a tetanus shot, especially if the wound was caused by a bite.
If the wound was caused by an animal bite, you should report it to the county public health department. Ask your doctor.

How long does it take to heal?

What are signs of infection?

Puncture wounds are easily infected because the object that pierced the skin may have been dirty.
Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pus, a bad smell, or red streaks coming from the wound.
An infected area may feel warm or become increasingly painful.

When should I call the doctor?

Quick Answers

A puncture wound is a wound made by a sharp, pointed object.
Minor puncture wounds can be treated at home. Wounds that are deep, bleed a lot, or wounds caused by an animal or human bite should be treated by a doctor.
To care for a wound, rinse it with soap and warm water. Cover the wound with a clean bandage and keep the area dry.
A doctor should treat a serious wound. However, stitches are not usually used for puncture wounds.
The wound could take 2 days to 2 weeks to heal.
Watch for signs of infection. Symptoms might include swelling, redness, pain, or pus coming from the wounded area.
Call the doctor if you notice signs of infection.

References

HealthSquare. Puncture Wound. Walgreen Co. 1999-2002 (cited 2002 April 29). URL: http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc0736.htm
MayoClinic. Puncture Wounds. Mayo Foundation of Education and Research. 2002 January 09 (cited 2002 April 29). URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=A0A3E617-3B02-4AC5-98E945C7B7AA909F&printpage=true
MEDLINEplus: Medical Encyclopedia. Wounds. 2001 November 18 (cited 2002 April 29). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000043.htm

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