Deep open wounds may require stitches or staples. Waterproof bandages and gauze work well for minor wounds. Close and dress the wound: Closing clean wounds helps promote faster healing.Treat the wound with antibiotics: After cleaning the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.A doctor may need to perform a surgical debridement to remove debris from severe wounds that contain dead tissue, glass, bullets, or other foreign objects. Once the wound looks clean, pat it dry with a clean cloth. Clean the wound: Use clean water and a saline solution to flush away any debris or bacteria.Stop the bleeding: Using a clean cloth or bandage, gently apply pressure to the wound to promote blood clotting.Open wound care should involve the following steps: However, severe open wounds that involve significant bleeding will require immediate medical attention. People can treat these types of wound at home. Minor, or acute, open wounds may not require medical treatment. Share on Pinterest Dressing the wound with bandages can help promote healing. Deep incisions can damage the muscles or nerves and will most likely require stitches. Incisions usually cause heavy, rapid bleeding. However, accidents involving knives, razor blades, broken glass, and other sharp objects can cause incisions. IncisionĪn incision is a clean, straight cut in the skin. However, knife or gunshot wounds can damage deep muscles and internal organs, which may result in significant bleeding. Splinters and needles can cause acute puncture wounds that only affect the outer layers of tissue. PunctureĪ puncture wound is a small hole in the soft tissue.
AvulsionĪn avulsion involves forcefully tearing away the skin and underlying tissue.Īvulsions can result from violent incidents, such as explosions, animal attacks, or motor vehicle accidents. This type of wound may cause significant bleeding. Lacerations usually occur from accidents or incidents involving knives, machinery, or other sharp tools. LacerationĪ laceration is a deep opening or a tear in the skin. Examples of abrasions include a scraped knee or road rash.Īlthough abrasions produce very little blood, it is important to sanitize the wound and remove any debris to prevent infection. AbrasionĪn abrasion wound occurs when the skin rubs or slides against a rough surface. Some examples of open wounds include the following.