Puncture Wounds in Children
What is a puncture wound?
A puncture wound is a deep wound made by a sharp object, such as a nail or a jagged
piece of metal or wood. Puncture wounds may be small and not seem serious. But they
do need to be treated by a healthcare provider.
Puncture wounds may become infected easily. This is because dirt and germs are carried
deep into the tissues. Sometimes infection may be delayed, so it's very important
to have your child see a healthcare provider right away for any puncture wound. Foot
wounds that happen from punctures with objects found outside have a high risk for
infection. Wounds that penetrate through a shoe can be contaminated with sock and
shoe particles. In some cases, a piece of the object that punctured your child can
break off and remain under their skin. Infections with bacteria that can cause long-term
bone infections also happen often.
First aid for puncture wounds
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Calm your child and let them know you can help:
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Do not try to remove large objects, like a knife or a stick, from a puncture wound.
Get immediate medical care. These objects should be removed by a healthcare provider.
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Put pressure on the wound for several minutes with a clean cloth or bandage to stop
bleeding. If the bleeding is severe, push on it with pressure for 10 to 15 minutes.
Don't stop to look at the cut. If the cloth becomes soaked with blood, put a new cloth
on top of the old one. Don't lift the original cloth.
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Once bleeding has stopped, wash your hands and then wash the area well with soap and
water. Don't scrub the wound. Remove any dirt particles from the area. Let the water
from the faucet run over it for several minutes.
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Cover the area with an adhesive bandage or gauze.
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Call your child's healthcare provider.
Call 911
Call 911 right away if the bleeding is severe.
Treatment for puncture wounds
Once a healthcare provider has seen your child, you will be given directions for how
to care for your child's wound. Treatment at home will be based on the location and
size of the wound, type of treatment needed, and any special needs noted by the healthcare
provider. Antibiotics may be given to help prevent infection in the wound. A tetanus
shot may be needed if your child's vaccines are not up to date. Your child may need
an X-ray. This is to make sure that a piece of the puncturing material did not break
off and stay under the skin.
Here are some general guidelines for caring for a puncture wound:
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Keep the area clean and dry.
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Carefully follow the healthcare provider's directions for care of the wound.
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Make sure your child does not do any activity that may cause them to reinjure or open
the wound.
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Return for follow-up care as advised by your child's healthcare provider.
When to call the healthcare provider
Call the healthcare provider if there are any signs of infection. These include increased
warmth, swelling, redness, fluid leaking, or pain. Your child may also develop a fever.