Treatment of a wound caused by a piercing object depends on the severity of the injury. If the object is small and the wound is superficial, you can remove it and clean the affected area yourself. However, if it got stuck deep, do not remove it. Go to the emergency room immediately or call an ambulance.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating a Serious Wound
Step 1. If the object is large or has got stuck deep in the skin or muscle, call an ambulance
Removing it can make the situation worse and even cause severe bleeding. Call an ambulance for injuries such as:
- Gunshot wounds;
- Knife wounds;
- Accidents on a construction site;
- Penetrating wounds;
- Injuries caused by metal or glass objects during a car accident;
- Eye injuries;
- Deep and dirty wounds.
Step 2. Check for bleeding while you wait for the ambulance to arrive
If it is abundant, try not to lose too much blood. If possible, do it in the following ways:
- Do not remove the object, otherwise the bleeding may intensify. A doctor should take care of it. What you can do is try to reduce the bleeding by applying good pressure around the object. Be careful not to push it any further, instead try to keep the edges of the wound together.
- Elevate the affected area above the heart. If the wound is in an arm or leg, lie down and raise the limb with a stack of pillows.
Step 3. Stabilize the object in the wound
If it is large and heavy, such as a knife or other object that could move, it should be held still. If it moves, it could cause further damage. It can be stabilized by carefully wrapping the wound.
To increase stability and support the area surrounding the item, create a layer of clean rolled gauze. Arrange the rolled gauze by imagining that you are building a log cabin (horizontal gauze lines that overlap at a 90 ° angle). In this way, you will support the piercing object vertically and increase its stability
Step 4. Monitor how you or the injured person are, as losing a lot of blood can cause shock
Shock can be fatal because the cardiovascular system is unable to transport blood and oxygen to the organs.
- The following symptoms are signs of shock: paleness, cold, sweaty skin, rapid and shallow breathing, vomiting, yawning and sighing, thirst.
- If you think it is a risky situation for you or the injured person, call an ambulance and explain the situation. If possible, lie down and raise your legs above your head. Cover up to stay warm and ask someone to talk to you to keep you awake. Don't eat or drink.
Step 5. When the ambulance arrives, follow all instructions
Depending on the severity of the injury, you can be taken to the hospital and treated there. Tell everything you remember about the accident.
After treatment, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot if you haven't had any vaccines for more than five years or if the wound is dirty
Step 6. If you treat someone else, protect yourself from disease
Blood can transmit infectious diseases such as HIV. The best way to protect yourself and the injured person is to use special tools, because you can infect each other.
- If you touch a bloody wound, wear latex gloves.
- If blood splatters occur, wear masks, goggles, face shields, and aprons.
- Wash your hands after taking off your gloves. Sanitizes all surfaces that have come into contact with blood or other body fluids.
- If the person has been injured by a sharp object, try not to cut yourself while you are handling them.
- If while you are treating another person, the tools of protection are compromised, replace them.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Small Objects
Step 1. Wash the wound
Wash your hands and the area surrounding the stuck object with soap and water, removing debris from the wound. This will minimize the risk of introducing dirt and bacteria into it as you remove the item.
Examine the wound to make sure the object is exactly under the skin surface. You will probably be able to see and hear it. If it is a splinter of wood, it may even slightly poke out on the outside. If possible, use a magnifying glass to see exactly where it is inside the skin
Step 2. Sterilize tweezers with isopropyl alcohol, which will evaporate soon after
Alcohol should not be rinsed off
Step 3. Grab the object with tweezers
Gently remove it following the same route it entered. Pull it firmly but gently.
- Do not make sudden movements and do not rotate the object, otherwise the wound will widen.
- If the object is difficult to remove, soak the affected area for a few minutes in warm saline or water to which you have added a splash of vinegar - this can cause it to surface.
Step 4. Remove the wound after removing the object to clean the affected area
Run tap water over the wound and wash it gently with soap.
- Inspect the wound to make sure there are no foreign particles left.
- Gently dry it. Don't rub it - once it's clean, you need to let it heal and heal.
Step 5. Apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to prevent infections
Those based on bacitracin or polymyxin B are available in any pharmacy.
- Wrap the wound with gauze to prevent dirt and bacteria from getting into it while it heals.
- Monitor the wound to see if it becomes infected. If you experience more and more pain or notice that the wound swells, becomes hot to the touch, becomes red or leaking pus, call your doctor.
Step 6. Consider the last tetanus shot you took
Was the wound dirty? Call your doctor and ask if you need to get a recall.
During the phone call, explain to him that you have an injury that worries you and tell him when you had your last tetanus shot
Method 3 of 3: Caring for the Wound While Healing
Step 1. Buy everything you need to change the blindfold
If you have bandaged the wound, it is necessary to change the bandage and regularly clean the affected area while it heals. You can buy everything you need at the pharmacy. Your doctor can give you a list of what you need, including:
- Sterile gauze;
- Medical adhesive tape;
- Elastic plasters or bandages;
- Antibacterial or surgical soap.
Step 2. Change the bandage at least once a day
If it gets wet or dirty, replace it immediately to prevent infections.
- Follow your doctor's instructions for washing her, applying medication, and bandaging her.
- If you are concerned that you may not be able to treat it properly, see your doctor or call a home nurse to change the bandage every day.
Step 3. Inspect the wound to see if it becomes infected
Examine it every time you change your bandage to see if it is healing. If you notice the following symptoms of infection, call your doctor right away:
- Increased pain
- Redness;
- Swelling;
- Heat;
- Leakage of pus or other fluids
- Pulsations on the affected area;
- Red streaks radiating from the affected area.
