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Puncture wounds can cause excessive bleeding and infection. Superficial wounds can be self-treated, but deep puncture wounds or those caused by animals require medical attention. Symptoms include cut or lacerated skin with light bleeding. Immediate first aid is recommended, and medical attention may be advised if symptoms develop later. Animal bites may require additional measures due to possible exposure to rabies.
A puncture wound is an injury that occurs when an object penetrates the skin’s surface. Common causes often include stepping on a sharp object or being bitten by an animal. Minor wounds that just break the skin surface may not cause complications; however, the deeper the wound goes under the skin, the more likely it is to cause excessive bleeding and infection. If the wound is superficial with little bleeding, self-treatment is often sufficient, but deep puncture wounds or those caused by an animal tend to require medical attention to reduce the risk of infection.
One of the most common symptoms of a puncture wound is a cut or lacerated skin with light bleeding. Not all wounds cause these immediate visual symptoms. For example, if small pieces of glass or debris get lodged in the skin, there may not be any noticeable bleeding or punctures to the skin, which may cause a person to not seek any type of treatment.
When a puncture wound occurs, immediate first aid is usually recommended. It is usually recommended to stop any bleeding, then wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap and water before applying an antibiotic ointment and dressing it. As there is a high probability of complications, particularly if the punctured object came from an animal or was exposed to soil. Soil tends to carry tetanus spores, which are a type of bacteria that can cause a serious infection if it comes into contact with an open wound.
If a serious injury is suspected or symptoms develop well after the initial injury, medical attention may be advised. A doctor can clean the wound and use a tool to remove any embedded pieces of debris. A tetanus vaccine may be given if a person has not received one in the past 10 years to reduce the chances of a tetanus infection. People with conditions, such as peripheral vascular disease or diabetes, may be at a higher risk of developing puncture wound infections and will often be prescribed antibiotics to destroy any bacteria.
A puncture wound caused by an animal bite typically requires additional measures due to possible exposure to rabies. Rabies is a viral infection that is usually spread through contact with animal saliva contaminated with the virus. A person who has been bitten will usually receive a rabies vaccination to reduce the chance of developing a rabies infection. If left untreated, rabies can lead to muscle spasms, seizures, fever, and difficulty swallowing. It can eventually throw a person into a coma or die.
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