There's nothing better than kicking off your shoes and having some fun.
But the down side of bare feet is that they can often lead to injuries. What
happens if you step on something; some glass, a sharp object? How should you
handle a puncture wound?
We usually describe puncture wounds as partial or full thickness. A full
thickness puncture penetrates the deepest layer of skin, the dermis. Full
thickness puncture wounds of the foot can be particularly difficult to treat. We’ll
often see material from the sock or inside of the tennis shoe driven into the
wound. This type of wound can result in a rather complex bacterial infection.
The first rule of thumb is to play it smart. Use the right shoes for the
right activity. For instance, don’t go to a construction job in tennis shoes.
And don’t work in the garden in a pair of flip flops.
But if you’re the unlucky one who does step on the glass here’s what to
do;
First, wash the wound in lots of soap and water. Try to clean the wound
of all loose debris. Soaking the foot in Epsom’s SaltsÔ
may also be of help. A topical antibiotic will help. If the wound shows
any signs of infection such as redness or increased pain, please seek the
care of your doctor.
Secondly, follow up each day with soap and water and a topical
antibiotic. Use a foot pad to keep pressure off of the wound while
walking.
In addition to the thickness of the puncture, wounds are also classified as
to clean or dirty. An example of a clean wound would be a piece of glass where
as a dirty wound would be a rusty old nail. Each and every puncture, whether
clean or dirty, should force you to review your previous immunizations for
tetanus. Tetanus is a bacteria that is commonly found in the ground and can have
some serious consequences if left untreated. When considering tetanus, a clean
wound should have a tetanus booster within the past 10 years and a dirty wound,
less than five years.
Do you always initially need an antibiotic for the wound? No, not
necessarily. If the would is clean and the patient is in good health,
there's a strong likelihood that the wound will not become infected. If
the patient is older or in any way immune compromised, an antibiotic would be
required as soon as possible. In many cases, the wound can be monitored
for several days keeping a eye out for signs of infection. These signs
would include and increase in pain, redness, swelling or drainage. Red
streaks rising from the wound (lymphangitis) or painful regional lymph nodes
(lymphadenopathy) are also signs of an infection and a need for immediate
medical care and antibiotic treatment.
If you do have questions regarding the status of a puncture wound of the
foot, we recommend you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
