Puncture Wound
A puncture wound occurs when a pointed object pushes into the skin. It may go into the tissues below the skin, including fat and muscle. This type of wound is narrow and deep and can be hard to clean. Because of this, puncture wounds are at high risk for becoming infected.
X-rays may be done to check the wound for objects stuck under the skin. You may also need a tetanus shot. This is given if you are not up to date on this vaccination and the object that caused the wound may lead to tetanus.
Home care
- Your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent infection.
- Follow all instructions for taking this medicine. Take the medicine every day until it is gone or you are told to stop. You should not have any left over.
- The healthcare provider may also prescribe medicines for pain. Follow instructions for taking them.
- If you are not prescribed pain medicine, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) for pain.
- Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions on how to care for the wound.
- Keep the wound clean and dry.
- Do not get the wound wet until you are told it is okay to do so.
- If the area gets wet, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth and replace the wet bandage with a dry one.
- If a bandage was applied and it becomes wet or dirty, replace it. Otherwise, leave it in place for the first 24 hours.
- Once you can get the wound wet, you may shower as usual but do not soak the wound in water (no tub baths or swimming).
- Even with proper treatment, a puncture wound may become infected.
- Check the wound daily for signs of infection listed below.
Nutrition for wound healing
- During this time, make sure you follow a healthy diet. This is needed so the wound can heal and to prevent infection.
- Your healthcare provider can tell you more about what to include in your diet during this time.
- Follow up with your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition that led to your wound, such as diabetes. Your provider can help you prevent future wounds.
Follow-up care
- Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised.
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When to seek medical advice
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
- Signs of infection, including:
- Increasing redness or swelling around the wound
- Increased warmth of the wound
- Worsening pain
- Red streaking lines away from the wound
- Increased drainage including pus
- Foul odor or bad smell coming from the wound
- Fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher or as directed by your healthcare provider
- Symptoms of infection do not start to improve within 2 days of starting antibiotics
- Symptoms of infection get worse
- New symptoms of infection develop
- You still have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher for more than 2 days after starting the antibiotics
- Bleeding or drainage is not decreasing or getting better
- Wound edges come apart
- Wound changes color
- Increased size or depth of the wound
- You have numbness or weakness in the wound area that doesn’t go away
- You have decreased movement around the injured area
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