Lacerations
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Medical Encyclopedia
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Other encyclopedia topics:
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Cuts and puncture wounds
Illustrations
Wound - cut or puncture; Open wound; Laceration
A cut is an injury that results in a break or
opening in the skin. A laceration is a jagged, irregular cut. A puncture is a
wound made by a pointed object (like a nail, knife, or sharp tooth).
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Loss of feeling or function below the wound site
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Pain
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If the wound is bleeding severely, call 911.
Minor cuts and puncture wounds can be treated
at home. Take the following steps.
FOR MINOR CUTS
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Wash your hands with soap to avoid infection.
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Wash the cut thoroughly with mild soap and water.
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Use direct pressure to stop the bleeding.
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Apply an antibacterial ointment.
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If the cut is likely to get dirty or be re-opened by friction, cover it
(once the bleeding has stopped) with a bandage that will not stick to the
injury.
FOR MINOR PUNCTURES
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Wash your hands.
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Use a stream of water for at least five minutes to rinse the puncture
wound. Wash with soap.
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Look (but DO NOT probe) for objects inside the wound. If found, DO NOT
remove -- go to the emergency room. If you cannot see anything inside the
wound, but a piece of the object that caused the injury is missing, also
seek medical attention.
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Apply antibacterial ointment and a clean bandage.
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DO NOT assume that a minor wound is clean because you can't see dirt or
debris inside. Wash it.
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DO NOT breathe on an open wound.
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DO NOT try to clean a major wound, especially after the bleeding is
under control.
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DO NOT remove a long or deeply embedded object. Seek medical attention.
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DO NOT probe or pick debris from a wound. Seek medical attention.
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DO NOT push exposed body parts back in. Cover them with clean material
until medical help arrives.
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Call immediately for emergency medical
assistance if Return
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Call 911 if:
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The bleeding is severe, spurting, or cannot be stopped (for example,
after 15 minutes of pressure).
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The person is seriously injured.
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Call your doctor immediately if:
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The wound is large or deep, even if the bleeding is not severe.
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You think the wound might benefit from stitches (the cut is more than a
quarter inch deep, on the face, or reaches bone).
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The person has been bitten by a human or animal.
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A cut or puncture is caused by a fishhook or rusty object.
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An object or debris is embedded -- DO NOT remove yourself.
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The wound shows signs of infection (warmth and redness in the area, a
painful or throbbing sensation, fever, swelling, or pus-like drainage).
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You have not had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years.
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The following types of wounds are more likely
to become infected: bites, punctures, crushing injuries, dirty wounds, wounds on
the feet, and wounds that are not promptly treated.
If you receive a serious wound, your doctor
may order laboratory tests, such as a blood test and skin culture to check for
bacteria.
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Keep knives, scissors, firearms, and breakables out of the reach of
children. When children are old enough, teach them to how to use knives and
scissors safely.
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Keep up-to-date on vaccinations.
A tetanus
vaccine is generally recommended every 10 years.
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Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s
Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th Ed. St.
Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002.
Update Date: 4/30/2004
Updated by: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of
Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, MA.
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