Stab wounds: first aid and care

There are various types of skin wounds, one of which is stab wounds. This type is quite common and arises from injuries during activities that involve the use of pointed objects such as sewing. What is the treatment like so that it does not become infected?

What is a stab wound?

A stab wound is a type of open wound that is caused by puncturing a sharp object such as a nail, wood, or piece of metal. Usually, this wound will leave a small hole and won't bleed much.

Stab wounds usually occur when a person has an accident while working with household items, such as using a sewing machine, installing nails, or getting hit by a knife.

Most of these types of wounds tend to be mild and can heal within a few days. However, a wound like a nail prick can cause infection because dirt and germs from the piercing object can be carried into the skin tissue.

Moreover, if the case is more severe with a deeper puncture. Your risk of getting an infection will increase.

Sometimes, the symptoms of the infection also occur in later days. Therefore, you must be careful and immediately take appropriate treatment when your skin is pricked.

The first treatment for stab wounds

Most people treat stab wounds like any other wound, by cleaning them and immediately treating them with wound medication. In fact, each different type of wound also has a different way of handling.

To perform first aid for a stab wound, follow these steps.

1. Wash hands and utensils

This step is very important. One of the goals of treating a wound is to avoid the risk of infection, so you have to make sure your hands and tools are clean.

2. Stop bleeding and clean the wound

Press the area with the stab wound to stop the bleeding, then clean the wound with cold water and a mild soap. Wash the wound under running water for 5 - 10 minutes. If there is any dirt on the edge of the wound, gently wipe it with a towel.

Do not use alcohol on wounds, hydrogen peroxide, or salt as an attempt to clean as this will damage tissue and slow healing.

3. Apply antibiotics if necessary

If the puncture wound is deep and there is a risk of bacterial contamination, apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream or ointment over the puncture wound and cover it with a bandage.

However, the use of antibiotics must be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, you should consult first before choosing to use it.

Usually, the antibiotic ointment that is often chosen is bacitracin. This ointment serves to prevent the wound from becoming infected.

For minor wounds, using a bandage is not mandatory, you can leave the wound open. However, you can still use a bandage to prevent the wound from being exposed to dirt.

Daily care for healing puncture wounds

Small puncture wounds usually don't need special treatment because they can get better on their own after a few days. If it gets worse, there are some things that should be done after the first treatment to help the wound heal.

Always pay attention to the bandage that sticks to the wound. You can change it every day or when the bandage is dirty and wet. When changing the bandage, clean the wound and then reapply the anti-biotic cream.

Antibiotic creams are not used long-term. You only need to use it for the first two days after getting injured.

Sometimes a stab wound can leave a sore and uncomfortable feeling. To overcome this, you can take over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, or aspirin.

Signs you must go to the doctor

Most stab wounds can be healed by doing this at home. However, keep in mind that the steps above should only be done for wounds that tend to be minor.

Wounds should be treated by a doctor immediately if:

• deeper punctures or penetrating the fat and muscle layers,
• the wound is bleeding that is difficult to stop,
• regarding organs such as the head or neck, as well
• leaving a large amount of foreign debris in the wound that is difficult to remove.

In addition, it must also be known the cause of the appearance of stab wounds. If this type of wound is produced from an animal bite, go to the doctor immediately so that you can prevent the possibility of spreading rabies.

Although not as urgent as the symptoms above, you still need to see a doctor if the wound causes redness, swelling, or changes color after 48 hours.

Sometimes, a wound infection can also lead to tetanus, a condition in which a person experiences muscle spasms after experiencing an injury. Especially if the injured person has not received the vaccine in the past five years, vaccinations may be needed.