What is a Puncture Wound

Puncture wound is an injury that is caused by a sharp, thin object that goes through your skin, such as a nail. A puncture wound usually does not leave a large opening in your skin, so it may not bleed a lot.

However, when you get a puncture wound, dirt or other materials (foreign bodies) can be forced into your wound and break off inside. This makes it more likely that an infection will happen, such as tetanus.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take or apply it as told by your doctor. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your condition starts to get better.

Wound care

• There are many ways to close and cover a wound. For example, a wound can be covered with stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips. Follow instructions from your doctor about:
  • How to take care of your wound.
  • When and how you should change your bandage (dressing).
  • When you should remove your bandage.
  • Removing whatever was used to close your wound.
• Keep the bandage dry as told by your doctor. Do not take baths, swim, use a hot tub, or do anything that would put your wound underwater until your doctor says it is okay.
• Clean the wound as told by your doctor.
• Do not scratch or pick at the wound.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Watch for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid, blood, or pus.

General instructions

• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
• If your puncture wound is in your foot, ask your doctor if you need to avoid putting weight on your foot and for how long.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You got a tetanus shot and you have any of these problems at the injection site:
  • Swelling.
  • Very bad pain.
  • Redness.
  • Bleeding.
• You have a fever.
• Your stitches come out.
• You notice a bad smell coming from your wound or your bandage.
• You notice something coming out of the wound, such as wood or glass.
• Medicine does not help your pain.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain at the site of your wound.
• You have fluid, blood, or pus coming from your wound.
• You notice a change in the color of your skin near your wound.
• You need to change the bandage often because fluid, blood, or pus is coming from the wound.
• You start to have a new rash.
• You start to have numbness around the wound.

Get help right away if:

• You have very bad swelling around the wound.
• Your pain suddenly gets worse and is very bad.
• You start to get painful skin lumps.
• You have a red streak going away from your wound.
• The wound is on your hand or foot and you cannot move a finger or toe like you usually can.
• The wound is on your hand or foot and you notice that your fingers or toes look pale or bluish.