|
Children
and puncture wounds
Unlike scrapes and cuts,
which usually are only on the skin's surface, puncture wounds can be
deep and, therefore, pose a greater risk of infection. Unfortunately,
they are often neglected because of their small surface size.
Puncture wounds are common to the fingers, hands, and the bottom of the
feet, and are caused by sharp, pointed objects such as nails, pins,
needles, staples, and wire. It is important to thoroughly clean the
wound in order to avoid infection, especially with wounds to the hand,
head, chest, back, or abdomen.
Seek Emergency Care If Your
Child:
- Shows signs of shock:
pale, sweating skin; dizziness; rapid and weak pulse.
- Has a wound that is
bleeding heavily, and can't be stopped.
Symptoms/Signs:
- Superficial to deep
penetration of the skin with a sharp object. Bleeding can be minimal
(e.g., pin prick) to major. Deep or puncture wounds can damage
underlying blood vessels, nerves, and organs. Indications of
additional injury -
- such as loss of
movement, numbness, or profuse bleeding—or signs of shock require
immediate medical attention.
Consult Your Doctor If Your
Child:
- May have an internal
injury to his or her nerves, organs, or blood vessels.
- There are signs (usually
24 hours after injury) of infection: increasing pain or tenderness,
swelling and redness, red lines coming away from the injury, presence
of pus, or a fever of 101 degrees F without another reason, such as a
cold or flu.
- Has a foreign object
wedged into a wound, whether visible or not. Objects sometimes break
off and remain in the wound.
- Has a wound in the hand,
head, chest, back, or abdomen.
- Hasn't had a full series
of tetanus shots or a tetanus shot in five years.
Home Care Ideas:
- Rinse the wound with
cool water.
- Wash around the wound
with soap and water. Avoid getting soap directly into the wound.
- Encourage the wound to
bleed, unless it's excessive. Bleeding helps bring material to the
surface.
- To help draw foreign
matter and bacteria from wound, soak in warm water three times a day
for two to four days.
- Applying a bandage or
sterile dressing is not recommended, unless the wound will get dirty
or rub against clothing.
- Give your child
acetaminophen for pain. Use as directed.
- Antiseptics such as
hydrogen peroxide are not recommended. They can irritate the wound and
cause further discomfort.
- Be sure your child's
tetanus immunizations are up to date.
- Keep sharp objects away
from children, particularly on the ground. Besides in your own home,
be alert to these dangers in public places, such as playgrounds,
buses, and beaches.
|