Puncture Wounds

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock occur:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Severe bleeding does not slow during the first 15 minutes of applying steady, direct pressure.
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing occurs with a puncture wound to the neck or chest:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Moderate to severe pain occurs with a puncture wound to the belly.
• A puncture wound to the eyeball occurs.
• A puncture wound is caused by the injection of a substance under high pressure into the skin, such as paint from a high-pressure paint sprayer or industrial lubricant for machinery.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you any of the have the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A cut that may need stitches, staples, or skin adhesives: Go to the topic Cuts.
• Puncture wound caused by a bite: Go to the topic Animal and Human Bites.

Note:

If bleeding is the main symptom, see how to stop bleeding.

Yes	Do you have a puncture wound in your head, neck, chest, or belly?
Yes	Do you have a puncture wound that is bleeding?
Yes	Are you unable to remove an object from the wound?
Yes	Do you have signs of decreased blood flow at or near a puncture wound?
Yes	Do you have any loss of function at or near the puncture wound?
Yes	Are you unable to adequately clean a puncture wound using home treatment?
Yes	Do you have a puncture wound in your foot?
Yes	Do you think you have an infection?
Yes	Do you have swelling and bruising at or near a puncture wound?
Yes	Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

NOTE: If you have a puncture wound from a needle and you don't know if the needle was clean or dirty, be sure to call your doctor for instructions on follow-up care.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: June 30, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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