Puncture Wounds

Home Treatment

Minor puncture wounds can be treated effectively at home. If you do not have an increased high risk of infection, do not have other injuries, and do not need treatment by a health professional or a tetanus shot, you can treat a puncture wound at home. Home treatment can prevent infection and promote healing.

Remove object

• Make sure the object causing the wound is not still in the wound. Check to see if the object is intact and a piece has not broken off in the wound.
• Try to remove the object that caused the wound if it is small and you can see it. If you have a splinter, try using cellophane tape before using clean tweezers or a needle. Simply put the tape over the splinter, then pull the tape off. The splinter usually sticks to the tape and is removed painlessly and easily. Be careful, and do not push the object farther into the wound. For splinter removal, see removing splinters. Do not wet the splinter.

Stop the bleeding

• Allow the wound to bleed freely for up to 5 minutes to clean itself out, unless there has been a lot of blood loss or blood is squirting out of the wound.
• Stop the bleeding with direct pressure to the wound. For more information, see how to stop bleeding.
  • Mild bleeding can almost always be stopped within 15 minutes by applying direct pressure to the wound.
  • Moderate bleeding can usually be slowed or stopped by applying steady, direct pressure to the wound for 15 minutes.
  • Severe bleeding cannot be slowed or stopped by applying steady, direct pressure to the wound for 15 minutes.

After you have stopped the bleeding, use the Check Your Symptoms section of this topic to determine if and when you need to see your health professional.

Clean the wound

Clean the wound as soon as possible to reduce the chance of infection, scarring, and tattooing of the skin from dirt left in the wound. (If dirt or other debris is not removed from a puncture wound, the new skin will heal over it. The dirt can then be seen through the skin and may look like a tattoo.)

• Wash the wound for 5 minutes with large amounts of cool water and soap (mild dishwashing soap, such as Ivory, works well). For more information, see how to clean a wound. Some nonprescription products are available for wound cleaning that numb the area so cleaning does not hurt as much. Be sure to read the product label for correct use.
• Do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or mercurochrome, which can harm the tissue and slow healing.
• Soak the wound in warm water for 20 minutes, 2 to 4 times a day, for the next 4 to 5 days. The warmth from the water will increase the blood flow to the area, which helps reduce the risk of infection.

Consider applying a bandage

Most puncture wounds heal well and do not need a bandage. You may need to protect the puncture wound from dirt and irritation. It is important to clean the wound thoroughly before bandaging it to reduce the risk of infection occurring under the bandage. For more information, see how to bandage a wound.

Tetanus

• Determine whether you need a tetanus shot.
• You may have a localized reaction to a tetanus shot. Symptoms include warmth, swelling, and redness at the injection site. A fever of up to 100°F (37.8°C) may occur. Home treatment can help reduce the discomfort.
  • Apply an ice pack to the injection site for 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours. After 48 hours, heat may feel better.
  • Take a nonprescription medication for pain and fever.

Pain relief

An ice or cold pack may help reduce swelling and bruising. See ice and cold packs. Never apply ice directly to a wound or the skin. This could cause tissue damage.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or Panadol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section of this topic to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.

• Signs of infection.
• Signs of loss of function.
• Signs of decreased blood flow.
• Pain gets worse.
• The wound does not heal.
• Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.

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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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