Different Types of Wounds

Posted by: Shifa Haidry on Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A wound is an injury to the tissue which involves a cut or break in the skin. Treatment varies depending on how the person got the wound and how many layers of the skin are affected. The object of proper wound care is to minimize scarring and ensure that the tissue heals properly.

Below are different types of wounds:

• A Scrape or an Abrasion occurs when a person’s skin is rubbed against an abrasive surface. The wound remains on the surface and the bleeding is usually slow. The deeper skin layers remain intact.
• Lacerations or cuts go through all layers of the skin and into the deeper tissues. Bleeding is much more severe. This wound is usually caused by a blunt object, falls against a hard surface or contact with a sharp object.
• When a sharp object penetrates the skin, it causes a Puncture wound. Perfect example is stepping on a nail, getting struck with a needle or being stabbed with a knife. The wound isn’t clearly visible and the bleeding is minimal.
• Human and Animal bites are a combination of lacerations or puncture wounds. Due to the risk of contamination by saliva, extra care is required for this type of wound.

Scrapes and Abrasions usually don’t require medical attention; the wound should be washed at least four times a day for 48 hours and kept covered with sterile Adhesive Bandages.  Check when was the last time you had a tetanus shot. Tetanus is bacteria that live in the soil. Permanent skin discoloration can occur if a scrape is not washed properly due to the debris in the wound.

Cuts or lacerations greater than ½ inch in which you can see the fat or the bone require immediate medical attention. Bleeding can be brisk and spurt out with the heartbeat. At times the wound might seem to be healing fine but if redness is spotted beyond the wound or if yellow drainage starts to appear from the affected area then medical attention is required.

The physician will usually observe the wound after cleaning it thoroughly with Wound Cleansers and the area will also be numbed with anesthetic to avoid further discomfort. If the cut or laceration requires stitches, then the doctor will stitch the edges of the wound together; wash the area one more time before applying a sterile bandage. The area should be kept elevated to avoid swelling and pain; the bandage will remain till the stitches are removed.

Puncture wounds require extra attention. If there is any dirt in the wound, then at times the doctor removes that area to prevent an infection from occurring.

Medical attention is also required when a person suffers from a human or animal bite. Many doctors prefer to leave a bite wound uncovered for daily care. These usually become infected and the patient must complete a course of antibiotics.

Please go through our full line of Wound Care products and keep your household first aid kit stocked with the required supplies to deal with minor wounds.

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