What Is a Puncture Wound?

What is a puncture wound? A puncture wound is the result of an injury that creates a small hole or wound in the skin. Puncture wounds often occur when a person steps on a nail or similar sharp object. These types of wounds can vary in severity, depending on how deep the wound is and whether it becomes infected or not.

Typically, puncture type wounds do not cause heavy bleeding. As a result, these wounds usually are able to heal up on their own without requiring any sutures. The main risk of a puncture wound is fighting off infection.

Puncture wounds pose an extra risk of infection as the object that has broken the skin, such as a pin or nail, may be carrying bacteria or possibly Tetanus spores, which can introduce infection to the body. Because of this risk, it is important that children and adults be regularly vaccinated for Tetanus. Adults should receive a booster every 10 years.

The most common objects to cause puncture wounds are shards of glass, nails, wood splinters, nails and pins. Occasionally scissors, knives and other sharp objects are also at fault. As soon as the wound occurs, remove the object from the skin. Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop any bleeding. If you have not had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years, or if it has been more than 5 years and the wound has dirt in it, you will need a tetanus shot.

If part of the object that caused the puncture wound remains in the skin, it is likely you will need emergency care to remove that object. It is important to look for signs, such as redness, pus, swelling or fever, which indicate that an infection has set in and that emergency wound care is needed. Other situations to seek emergency treatment include loss of feeling or numbness in the area of the wound or below the wound, a gaping wound with visible fatty tissue or muscle fibers, a head, chest or abdominal wound, or a wound that won't stop bleeding after five minutes of direct pressure.