What Do You Do If You Have Punctured Wound?

A punctured wound is not the same as a cut. It has a small entry hole that is caused by an object, whereas a cut is an open wound that is from a tear in the skin. Puncture wounds require different treatments from cuts because these holes can cover up a more serious condition.

The foot is the most common place to get a punctured wound and a variety of foreign bodies can become embedded in the skin such as nails, toothpicks, sewing needles, etc. The object is usually not sterile and the dirt from the object itself can get lodged in as well, which can cause problems in the future.

The severity of the wound is determined in different ways such as the depth, the cleanliness, and the type of object. Depending on these variants, complications, such as an infection, may develop.

So what should you do when this happens?

•  Seek immediate treatment

• See a foot specialist within 24 hours

• Keep your foot area dry

• Keep weight off the punctured foot

• Take your temperature regularly

• Get a tetanus shot if needed

At River Podiatry, our team is ready to serve and consult you on your foot health. Set up an appointment today to speak with our team of trusted foot health professionals.