Puncture Wound Care and Infected Wound Treatment in Lubbock TX is a wound caused by a sharp pointy object such as nail, needle, and other pointy objects. Puncture wounds can go deep into the body and damage internal organs.
Puncture Wound Care and Infected Wound
A puncture wound may not cause serious bleeding but it could damage a vital internal organ. Puncture wounds can also lead to infection if not timely treated.
Infected wound
A wound infection occurs when bacteria, fungi, and other germs get into the wound and begin to grow inside the wound. A wound that is not timely and adequately treated may get infected.
Signs and symptoms of an infected wound
symptoms of Infected wound
The signs and symptoms of an infected wound can include:
- Increasing pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Nausea
- Hot or warm feeling to touch
- Pus oozing from the wound
- Bad smell from the wound
- Chills or fever
How to treat a puncture wound
Most puncture wounds are minor wounds and can be treated at home using home remedies. Severe cases whereby the wound goes deep into the body tissue may require medical attention. Puncture wounds should be timely treated to prevent infection.
How to treat a puncture wound
There are different ways to take care of and treat a puncture wound. These include:
Apply gentle pressure
Stop the bleeding by apply gentle pressure using a clean bandage or cloth. Keep the pressure for a few minutes to stop or reduce the bleeding.
Clean the wound
Clean the wound with clear water for five to 10 minutes to clear off dirt or debris. Use a clean cloth to gently scrub off dirt or debris from the surface of the wound.
Bandaging the wound
A puncture wound may not require bandaging due to the small surface area of the wound. However, in very serious cases you may need to bandage the wound to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the wound. Bandaging the wound also aid quicker healing and prevent infection.
Apply an antibiotic
Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin, or Polysporin. Re-clean the area and reapply the antibiotic when you change the dressing for the first two days.
Antibiotic medication
Taking antibiotic medications and tetanus shot help to prevent bacteria and tetanus infection.
Treatment of infected wound
Most infected wounds require the care and treatment of a wound care specialist. If your wound is infected, you may experience increased pain. Seek immediate medical attention for proper care and treatment.
Treatment of infected wound
Treatment options for infected wound include:
Clean the wound
Clean the wound by running warm water over it for several minutes to clean off dirt, debris, and other substances from the surface of the wound. Use warm, soapy water to clean the skin surrounding the wound. Ensure you don’t get soap in the wound.
You can also use tweezers and damp cloth to gently clean the surface of the wound and remove all dirt and debris.
Apply ointment
You can apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment or petroleum jelly to the wound. Keep the wound open for some minutes to allow it air-dry before covering it with a bandage or dressing. Avoid using peroxide or iodine on the wound as applying these could cause skin irritation.
Change wound dressing
Always change the wound dressing at least once a day because of the fluids secreted from the wound. Replace the dressing when it gets damp or dirty. Always clean the wound before replacing it with a new dressing or bandage.
Antibiotic medications
Taking antibiotic medications helps to kill the bacteria present and encourages faster healing. It is important that you complete the course of antibiotics to fully treat the infection.
Debridement
Debridement is used to remove top dead tissue from the surface of a wound. If the wound contains dead or contaminated tissue, the dead tissue can be removed using debridement. Debridement promotes healing of the wound and prevents infection from spreading.
Tetanus shot
Your doctor may give you a tetanus shot to prevent tetanus infection. If the wound is caused by a dirty or rusty object, a tetanus shot may be required.
