Hubby stepped on a upturned "somewhat rusty" screw at work today, has a puncture wound in the bottom of his heel. He can walk on it with "a good bit of pain". There was no bleeding, and he had a tetnous shot April 2005.
We cleaned the wound with Peroxide and put Antibotic Ointment and a sterile cotton pad on it.
What to do next?
What are any signs he needs to see a doctor?
Would an antibotic help speed healing?
thanks in advance.
2006-09-14 10:24:12 · 7 answers · asked by kittenspawn 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
See the site below for information...see the chart especially...
Note: puncture wounds heal from the inside out and take awhile longer than usual wounds (2 weeks). It is important to keep the wound site clean and provide fresh air as possible or practical. Do not wear a sock or shoe at home (for example). This prevents healing due to lack of oxygen available to the wound site. Also, avoiding placing weight on the area will also aid healing processes. The foot should be elevated at slightly above chest level to increase circulation to the area, as well.
2006-09-20 10:08:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is good he had a recent tetanus shot, one less thing to worry about.
You have done just right in cleaning and dressing the wound. I would add that keeping the foot elevated and applying ice for 20 minutes every hour will alleviate subsequent swelling and pain.
Increased drainage, swelling, and pain would indicate possible infectious process and would likely first appear 24 to 36 hours after initial injury, takes a while for bacteria to multiply enough to cause a problem. Then see the doctor as at that point antibiotics would be indicated.
2006-09-14 17:37:23 · answer #2 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Soak the foot in hot soapy water for at least 20 minutes several times a day. Watch for swelling, pus, redness especially if you see a red line going up from the wound towards the leg. That would be blood poisoning. The antibiotic ointment is a good idea and so is covering it. I'm glad he's up to date on his tetanus boosters.
2006-09-15 12:02:06 · answer #3 · answered by Lola 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definitely should see the doctor and get an x-ray to make sure there is nothing in the wound, and to get it properly cleaned. If needed, the doc may have to put one or two stitches in.
2006-09-14 18:37:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF HE HAD A TETNUS SHOT AND THE WOUND IS NOT INFECTED YOU SHOULD BE FINE. THE FACT THAT THE PUNCTURE IS ON THE HEEL OF THE FOOT MEANS THAT IT WILL TAKE QUITE A WHILE TO HEAL. YOU ARE CONSTANTLY WALKING ON IT AND KEEPING IT OPEN.
KEEP THE WOUND CLEAN DAILY. IF INFECTION DOES OCCUR YOU MUST SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP. GOOD LUCK!!
2006-09-20 19:17:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go see a Doctor.
2006-09-20 19:41:34 · answer #6 · answered by Sandyvon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should...burn a tip of a knife..or maybe a needle..and put sterolyzer on it...move it around in the wound..incase there is something still inside...if it starts to get infected...thats a sign of goin to the doctor..he'll be fine..but he should keep it clean..and maybe consider goin to the doc
2006-09-14 17:26:32 · answer #7 · answered by ally 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋