Fact Checked
An open wound is an injury that involves an external or internal break of the body tissues that usually involves the skin. Anyone experiences an open wound at some point in the person’s life. Some minor open wounds can be treated at home. Accidents caused by sharp objects or tools, falls, and vehicular accidents can cause open wounds.
There are different types of open wounds:
- Abrasions occur when the skin rubs and scrapes against a rough and hard surface. Road rash is a good example of an abrasion. The bleeding in the affected area is minimal but the wound should be cleaned in order to avoid infection.
- Sharp objects like a knife, shard of glass or razor blade will cause an incision. This type of open wound bleeds a lot and happens quickly. Tendons, ligaments and muscles can be damaged if the incision is very deep.
- Laceration is an unequal or rough break or ripping of the skin and caused by accidents with tools and machinery. It causes rapid bleeding and can be extensive.
- Puncture is a small hole that is caused by long, pointy objects like a nail, needle or an ice pick and sometimes a bullet can also cause a puncture wound. Punctured wounds do not bleed much, but if the wounds are deep it can damage some internal organs. If a puncture wound is just a small hole, seek medical help or have a shot of tetanus booster in order to prevent infection.
- Avulsion is the partial or complete tearing away of skin and tissues, and happens during a violent accident like explosions, gunshot wounds, and body-crushing accidents that can cause rapid and heavy bleeding. If some of the body part is badly severed or partially amputated, send the person to the hospital for a possible reattachment and wrap the body part in moist gauze and pack in an ice.
Treatment of open wounds
For minor wounds
- Wash and disinfect the infected area in order to remove all the dirt and debris.
- Apply direct pressure and elevate the affected area in order to control the bleeding and swelling. You can learn this measure by enrolling in a first aid class
- Place a bandage on the wound using sterile bandage or dressing and minor wounds heal without a bandage.
- Keep the wound clean and dry for about five days along with adequate rest.
- If there is pain, provide acetaminophen.
- If there is bruising and swelling, apply ice compress and avoid picking at scabs.
- Apply sunblock or sunscreen with SPF of 30 over the affected area until it is completely healed.
For a severe wound, seek medical help for the following:
- The bleeding of the affected area is the result of a serious accident.
- The open wound is deep and affects the tissues
- The bleeding does not stop by putting direct pressure and lasts for more than 20 minutes.