Puncture Wound: Brief Version

What is a puncture wound?

A puncture wound is when a sharp object, like a nail, cuts or pierces your child’s skin. Because it is deep, it can easily get infected. If your child gets a puncture in his eye, foot, or stomach, call your healthcare provider.

How can I take care of my child?

Wash the wound.

• Soak it in warm water with soap for 15 minutes.
• Wash it with a washcloth to get out any dirt. Don’t worry if it bleeds a little. That helps get rid of germs.

Cut off any flaps of skin. They can get in the way of cleaning the wound.

• Use fine scissors.
• Clean the scissors first with alcohol.

Put on antibiotic ointment and a Band-Aid. This helps keep it from getting infected.

• Soak the area again and put on antibiotic ointment every 12 hours.
• Do this for 2 days.

Give pain medicine.

• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for any pain.

Call your child’s doctor right away if:

• The puncture is in the face, neck, chest, or stomach.
• You still see dirt in the wound after you soak it.
• Part of the object breaks off in the wound.
• The wound is very deep.
• The sharp object (such as a nail) or place where the injury happened (for example, a barnyard) was very dirty.
• The wound is very red, or has streaks and pus.

Call your doctor during office hours if:

• Your child has not had a tetanus shot for 5 years.
• The pain, redness, or swelling gets worse after 48 hours.
• You have other concerns or questions.