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Puncture Wound

Is this your symptom?

The skin is punctured by a pointed narrow object (wood splinter, fishhook, glass sliver, needle or skewer)

Causes of Puncture Wounds

Metal: nail, sewing needle, pin, tack
Pencil: pencil lead is actually graphite (harmless). It is not poisonous lead. Even colored leads are not toxic.
Wood: toothpick or splinter
Glass
Plant Matter: thorns from garden bushes or spines from houseplants, such as cactus

Complications of Puncture Wounds

Retained Foreign Object. This happens if part of the sharp object breaks off in the skin. The pain will not go away until it is removed. It can be hard to tell if this has happened. If unsure. call you doctor. Contact your doctor.
Wound Infection. This happens in 4% of foot punctures. The main symptom is spreading redness 2 or 3 days after the injury. Do not ignore.
Bone Infection. If the sharp object also hits a bone, the bone can become infected. Punctures of the ball of the foot are at greatest risk. The main symptoms are increased swelling and pain 2 weeks after the injury. Contact your doctor right away.

When to Call for Puncture Wound

When to Call for Puncture Wound
Call 911 Now Deep puncture on the head, neck, chest, back, or stomach or genital area You have passed out or are feeling light-headed, dizzy or faint You have become breathless You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Puncture into a joint Feels like something is still in the wound Can't stand, put weight on the injury or walk Needlestick from used needle (may have been exposed to another person's blood) Sharp object and setting was dirty (such as parking lot or dirty water) Dirt in the wound is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing Severe or increasing pain Wound looks infected (redness, red streaks, or swelling) Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems. Fever occurs You have never had any tetanus shots You think you have a serious injury You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Minor puncture wound

Call 911 Now

Deep puncture on the head, neck, chest, back, or stomach or genital area
You have passed out or are feeling light-headed, dizzy or faint
You have become breathless
You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Puncture into a joint
Feels like something is still in the wound
Can't stand, put weight on the injury or walk
Needlestick from used needle (may have been exposed to another person's blood)
Sharp object and setting was dirty (such as parking lot or dirty water)
Dirt in the wound is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing
Severe or increasing pain
Wound looks infected (redness, red streaks, or swelling)
Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems.
Fever occurs
You have never had any tetanus shots
You think you have a serious injury
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Minor puncture wound

Care Advice for Minor Puncture Wound

What You Should Know About Puncture Wounds:
- Most shallow puncture wounds do not need to be seen.
- If the wound is deep and hard to clean, you should seek care.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Cleaning the Wound:
- First wash off the foot, hand or other punctured skin with soap and water.
- Then soak the puncture wound in warm soapy water for 15 minutes.
- For any dirt or debris, gently scrub the wound surface back and forth. Use a wash cloth to remove any dirt.
- If the wound re-bleeds a little, that may help remove germs.
Antibiotic Ointment:
- Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed.
- Then, cover with a bandage (such as Band-Aid). This helps to reduce the risk of infection.
- Re-wash the wound and put on antibiotic ointment every 12 hours.
- Do this for 2 days.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
- Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
- If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
What to Expect:
- Puncture wounds seal over in 1 to 2 hours.
- Pain should go away within 2 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Dirt in the wound is still there after 15 minutes of scrubbing
- Pain increases or becomes severe
- Looks infected (redness, red streaks, draining pus, swelling, fever)
- Not getting better within 2 days
- You think you need to be seen
- Your symptoms get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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