Symptom
A wound that is deeper than it is long or wide
Home care
Wash the wound carefully and apply a nonirritating antiseptic.
If no foreign body remains in the wound, cover the area with a sterile bandage and inspect it regularly for signs of infection.
If a foreign body remains in the wound, take the child to the doctor.
Precautions
- Redness, swelling, or stiffness of the joint at the site of a puncture wound is a medical emergency. Take the child to the doctor.
- A puncture wound in the abdomen, in the chest, or in a joint requires immediate medical attention.
- Never try to remove a foreign body (for example, needle and knife blade) from a puncture wound yourself.
- A puncture wound that is still tender after a day or two should be seen by a doctor.
- Make sure your child’s tetanus immunization is always current.
Wounds that pierce the skin are classified as abrasions (scrapes), lacerations (cuts), and punctures. A puncture is a wound that is deeper than it is long or wide. Most puncture wounds in children are made by nails, needles, pins, knives, or splinters.
Because of their small opening and then-depth, punctures present four particular dangers: the tetanus germ thrives in the absence of air, so a puncture is an ideal site for developing tetanus; a puncture wound is hard to clean and therefore susceptible to infection; punctures can penetrate deep into the body; and a puncture wound may harbor foreign bodies that are difficult to detect.
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