A 35-year-old member asked:
How can i treat my puncture wound?
7 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jason Forbesanswered
Wound care 18 years experience
Keep it clean: Immediately clean with soap and water and cover with an over-the-counter triple antibiotic cream 2x/day. Pad it with a protective dressing and keep it clean, dry and free from further pressure/trauma. If it begins to become red, swollen or the pain worsens, see your doctor. If you haven't had a tetanus vaccine in the past 5 years, you need one.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Wound Care: Stop bleeding by applying pressure. Rinse wound w clean water. Clean surrounding skin w soap & water on wash cloth. Remove debris w tweezers. If material remains in wound – seek medical care. Apply antibiotic ointment. Initially cover w bandage until some healing has occurred. Change bandage when soiled/ wet or at least daily. Need tetanus shot if you haven't had one in last 10 years, don't know
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
when you last had one or if the wound is dirty & it has been more than 5 years since last shot. May need stitches if wound depth > 1/4”, wound edges are gaping or if fat / muscle is visibly extending from wound. See: http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711
Jul 26, 2014
Dr. Kim Kuharanswered
Internal Medicine 36 years experience
Clean area well don': Make sure tetanus is up to date. Need to be concerned about infection given the deep penetration and may likely need antibiotics to prevent infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Larry Lutwickanswered
Infectious Disease 51 years experience
Puncture wounds: Need to be cleaned externally and if need be, a tetanus (with diphtheria and perhaps pertussis) booster given.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Harold Rosenfeldanswered
Surgery - Plastics 58 years experience
It DEpends: There are too many varibles for this forum. Location of wound , type of implement , depth, contamination your health etc,
see youtr doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Steven Brownanswered
Hand Surgery 41 years experience
Do not seal: Do not close or seal a puncture wound. Clean and irrigate it out as best as possible and cover with sterile dressing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Robert Hadfieldanswered
Podiatry 15 years experience
See a specialist: Puncture wounds, if deep enough, can cause many problems including a bacterial infection and tetanus. It is important to have the wound evaluated by a specialist and get a tetanus shot if you haven't had a booster in the past 5 years.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
How can you treat a puncture wound to the vein?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Landianswered
Phlebology 49 years experience
Direct pressure.: Superficial veins can cause bleeding. If this happens then you should elevate the area, apply direct pressure and compress the bleeding site with an ace bandage. If this does not control the bleeding then you should go to the er or your physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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