Saturday, July 23, 2011

Cuts - Wounds

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

A wound is any injury resulting in the breaking of the skin.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Many of the common causes of wounds are everyday objects, including the following:
  • glass

  • knives

  • pieces of wood

  • punctures due to needles, pins, nails, and hooks

  • splinters

  • scrapes from falling

  • zippers
    Animal and human bites can also cause wounds. Wounds that are dirty or do not receive prompt medical attention, if necessary, run a high risk of becoming infected.

    • Symptoms & Signs

    What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?
    Wounds may cause the following symptoms:
  • bleeding

  • heat

  • pain

  • redness

  • swelling

    • Diagnosis & Tests

    How is the injury recognized?
    The healthcare provider can diagnose a wound by asking questions and observing the skin.

    Prevention & Expectations

    What can be done to prevent the injury?
    Proper use of knives, scissors, firearms, and breakables is important. Dangerous objects should be kept out of the reach of children.

    Treatment & Monitoring

    What are the treatments for the injury?
    Treatment varies, depending on the type of wound. It is important to thoroughly wash the hands prior to giving first aid.
    For treatment of scrapes:
  • Wash the scrape thoroughly with mild soap and water.

  • Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.

  • Cover the area with a clean bandage.
    For treatment of splinters:

  • Use clean tweezers to pull out the splinter at the same angle that it went in.

  • If the splinter is just under the skin, use a sterilized needle to lift it out.

  • Wash the area thoroughly with mild soap and water.

  • If there is a large area of open skin, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.

  • Cover the area with a clean bandage as needed.
    For treatment of cuts:

  • Consult a healthcare provider if the cut is deep, large, or long.

  • Wash the area thoroughly with mild soap and water.

  • Use direct pressure to control bleeding.

  • Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage as needed.

  • If the wound does not stop bleeding, contact the healthcare provider.
    For treatment of puncture wounds:

  • Use a forceful stream of mild soap and water to rinse out the puncture wound.

  • Apply a clean bandage.

  • Seek medical attention for this type of wound.
    For treatment of wounds with embedded objects:

  • Avoid removing the embedded object.

  • Gently cut away any clothing from around the wound.

  • Control the bleeding using indirect pressure.

  • Immobilize the patient while getting help.
    What are the side effects of the treatments?
    Antibiotics may cause allergic reactions.
    What happens after treatment for the injury?
    Most wounds are completely healed within 2 to 3 weeks. It is important to watch for signs of infection during the healing time. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

    • Attribution

    Author:James Broomfield, MD
    Date Written:
    Editor:
    Edit Date:
    Reviewer:Sandy Keefe, RN, MSN
    Date Reviewed:07/24/01
    Posted by at

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)