What is a Puncture Wound?

Puncture wounds and cuts are not the same. A puncture wound has a small entry hole caused by a pointed object – for example, a nail that you step on. In contrast, a cut is an open wound that doesn’t produce a “hole” but rather a long tear in the skin.

Foreign Bodies in Puncture Wounds

A variety of foreign bodies can become embedded in a puncture wound. Nails, glass, toothpicks, sewing needles, insulin needles, and seashells are some common offenders.

Severity of Wounds

There are different ways of determining the severity of a puncture wound, including depth and the type of object that caused the wound.

Treatment

The key to proper treatment is this: A puncture wound must be cleaned properly and monitored throughout the healing process to avoid complications.