Wound Care

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An open wound is an injury involving an external or internal break in  body tissue, usually involving the skin. Nearly everyone will  experience an open wound at some point in their life. Most open wounds  are minor and can be treated at home.

Falls, accidents with sharp  objects, and car accidents are the most common causes of open wounds. In  the case of a serious accident, you should seek immediate medical care.  This is especially true if there’s a lot of bleeding or if bleeding  lasts for more than 20 minutes.

There are four types of open wounds, which are classified depending on their cause.

An abrasion occurs when your skin rubs or scrapes against a rough or hard surface.  Road rash is an example of an abrasion. There’s usually not a lot of  bleeding, but the wound needs to be scrubbed and cleaned to avoid  infection.

A laceration is a deep cut or  tearing of your skin. Accidents with knives, tools, and machinery are  frequent causes of lacerations. In the case of deep lacerations,  bleeding can be rapid and extensive.

A puncture is a small hole caused by a long, pointy object, such as a nail or needle. Sometimes, a bullet can cause a puncture wound.

Punctures  may not bleed much, but these wounds can be deep enough to damage  internal organs. If you have even a small puncture wound, visit your  doctor to get a tetanus shot and prevent infection.

An avulsion is a partial or complete tearing away of skin and the tissue beneath.  Avulsions usually occur during violent accidents, such as body-crushing  accidents, explosions, and gunshots. They bleed heavily and rapidly.

Although you can treat some wounds at home, you should see a doctor if:

• an open wound is deeper than 1/2 inch
• bleeding doesn’t stop with direct pressure
• bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes
• bleeding is the result of a serious accident

Your doctor may use different techniques to treat your open wound.  After cleaning and possibly numbing the area, your doctor may close the  wound using skin glue, sutures, or stitches. You may receive a tetanus shot if you have a puncture wound.

Depending  on the location of your wound and the potential for infection, your  doctor may not close the wound and let it heal naturally. This is known  as healing by secondary intention, meaning from the base of the wound to  the superficial epidermis.

This process may require you to pack your wound with gauze. Although the healing may not look pretty, it prevents infection and the formation of abscesses.

Another treatment for an open wound includes pain medication. Your doctor may also prescribe penicillin or another antibiotic if there’s an infection or high risk for developing an infection. In some cases, you may need surgery.

If  a body part is severed, it should be brought to the hospital for  possible reattachment. Wrap the body part in moist gauze and pack it in  ice.

When you leave the doctor’s office, you might have bandages  and dressings. It’s important to wash your hands and work on a clean  surface when changing bandages and dressings.

Disinfect and dry the wound thoroughly before dressing it again. Dispose of old dressings and bandages in plastic bags.

Whether you have a minor or a more serious open wound, it’s important  to take quick action. Some open wounds can be treated at home, but this isn’t always the case.

You need medical attention if you have a  deep cut or if you’re bleeding a lot. This ensures you receive the most  appropriate treatment and reduces your risk for complications and  infection.