How to Treat an Infected Puncture Wound

Puncture wounds do not usually cause lots of bleeding. They also seem to quickly close as well. These features make the puncture wound seem less serious than it is. Puncture wounds can be very serious, because of the risk of infection they carry. Puncture wounds can be caused by animal bites, human bites, and from stepping on an object such as a nail. You will need to see your doctor if you suffer a puncture wound so that he can evaluate it. There are steps you can both take to treat an infected puncture wound.

Things You'll Need

• Oral antibiotics
• Wound cleanser (hydrogen peroxide, betadyne or similar)
• Antibiotic ointment
• Wound dressing
• Tetanus shot

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Instructions

• 1

  See your doctor. Your doctor will need to asses the infected puncture wound and perhaps take a culture of the wound to determine what organism is causing the infection. Make sure you tell your doctor how you received the puncture wound---this can help him to determine what treatment is appropriate for you.

• 2

  Take antibiotics, if necessary. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate antibiotic for your infected wound. Make sure to tell him if you are allergic to any particular antibiotic so that he can prescribe an alternative. In addition to treating your puncture wound, the antibiotic will prevent you from getting a systemic infection (an infection that affects your entire body) from your infected wound.

• 3

  Keep your wound clean. You will need to keep your puncture wound exceptionally clean to aid in the healing process. Ask your doctor which wound cleaner he recommends. He may suggest an over the counter cleaner such as peroxide, or he may prescribe one for you.

• 4

  Apply antibiotic ointment. You can buy antibiotic ointment over the counter. Ask your doctor which brand he recommends. Make sure your puncture wound is very clean before you apply the ointment.

• 5

  Keep it covered. After cleaning your wound and applying antibiotic ointment, make sure you cover it with a wound dressing. Your doctor may give you a supply of dressings, or suggest a specific type to buy. Make sure to change the dressing per his instructions, and when it becomes soiled.

• 6

  Get a tetanus shot. If the wound is deep, or is a result of a human or animal bite, you may need a tetanus shot, if you have not received on in the last five years. This holds true if the wound is in your foot, too.