What to Do When a Puncture Wound Gets Infected?

Puncture wounds can result from numerous events from stepping on a sharp object such a a nail to the bite of an animal. Many times puncture wounds appear to close up by themselves without much bleeding, making it seem like they don't need follow-up attention. But puncture wounds commonly get infected, because the penetrating object can go so deep into the flesh.

Identification

• Identify the cause of the puncture wound. Stepping on a rusty nail or other contaminated object can result in tetanus, a potentially life-threatening bacterial disease. Get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past five years. If the wound is the result of an animal bite you must identify the animal and report it to county public health officials because rabies infection is a serious concern, particularly if the animal is wild and cannot be caught and observed.

First Aid

• It is always better to prevent infection than to treat infection. Apply first aid immediately to all puncture wounds. Stop the bleeding, remove any debris from the wound with tweezers sterilized with alcohol, wash the wound with clean water, wash the area around the wound with a wash cloth and soapy water, rinse and thoroughly dry the area around the wound. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover it with a sterile bandage. This is especially important for puncture wounds on the bottom of the foot.

Observation

• Keep a sharp eye on the wound for any sign of infection. This may include redness, streaks radiating from the puncture site, swelling, warming or localized fever at the site of the wound, or drainage from the wound. Untreated infections can cause serious complications. There is little an individual can do to control infections of puncture wounds once they have started without professional care, so if you see symptoms of infection you should contact your health care provider immediately for treatment.