First Aid: Punctures
A break in the skin is an open door, inviting dirt and germs to enter your body and cause infection.
1. Clean Thoroughly
Do not squeeze the wound.
Soak the wound in warm, soapy water to help the injury heal from the inside out.
Cover the wound with a gauze dressing to absorb any drainage and let air in for faster healing.
2.Stabilize Embedded Objects
If an object lodges in the body, apply direct pressure around the wound to control bleeding. (Wear gloves or use other protection as a barrier between you and any blood.)
Wrap gauze or cloth around the object to hold it steady. Tape the wrapping in place.
DON’T increase the risk of internal bleeding by trying to remove an embedded object.
Call 911 immediately if the victim has any of the following:
While you wait for help:
1. Reassure the person.
2. Continue to control bleeding with direct pressure.
Seek medical help if any of the following is true:
The wound covers a large area or is deep.
The ear or eye is punctured.
An object such as a nail remains lodged in the body.
The injury is on the face or any area where scarring is a concern.
The person needs protection against tetanus. This is a disease caused by bacteria that may enter any break in the skin and bring on a life-threatening illness called lockjaw. The body’s defenses may need a booster injection if it’s been more than five years since the last tetanus vaccination.