Puncture Wound

Nail, needle, and bite punctures with infection risk

Step by Step

Allow minor punctures to bleed briefly, then clean under running water. Do not dig into the wound. Cover with a clean dressing. Seek medical care for deep punctures, wounds caused by dirty or rusty objects, punctures through footwear, wounds on the hands or feet or over joints, bites, objects that may have broken off inside, or signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, or increasing pain, which can take days to appear. Do not remove objects that are embedded deeply; call emergency services for severe bleeding or deep wounds. A health professional will check whether tetanus protection is needed.