Open wound An open wound is a break in the skin or in the mucous membrane. Open wounds range from those that bleed severely but are relatively free from the danger of infection. They can bleed a little but have greater potential of becoming infected. Open wounds can be classified according to the object that caused the wound. Types of Open Wounds a)Incisions or incised wounds are caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such as a knife, a razor or a glass splinter. b)Lacerations, irregular tear-like wounds caused by some blunt trauma.
c)Abrasions are superficial wounds in which the topmost layer of the skin is scraped off. Abrasions are often caused by a sliding fall onto a rough surface. d)Puncture wounds are caused by an object puncturing the skin, such as a nail or needle. e)Penetration wounds are caused by an object such as a knife entering and coming out from the skin. f)Gunshot wounds are caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body. There may be two wounds, one at the site of entry and one at the site of exit, such is generally known as a through-and-through.
Closed wound Most closed wounds are caused by external forces such as falls and motor vehicle accidents. Many closed wounds are relatively small and involve soft tissues; the black eye is an example. Others involve fractures of the limbs, spine or skill and damage to vital organs within the skull, chest or abdomen. Massive injury to soft tissues such as muscles, blood vessels and nerves can be very serious and can result in lasting disabilities. Signs and Symptoms Pain and tenderness are most common symptoms of a closed wound.
Usual signs are swelling and discoloration of soft tissues and deformity of limbs caused by fractures or discolorations. If signs of injury are obvious, internal injury is probable when any of the following general symptoms are present: oCold, clammy pale skin, very rapid but weak pulse, rapid breathing and dizziness. oPain and tenderness in a part of the body in which injury is suspected, especially if deep pain continues but seems out of proportion to the outward signs of injury. oUncontrolled restlessness and excessive thirst. oVomiting or coughing up of blood or passage of blood in the urine or feces. Types of Closed Wounds.
a)Contusions, more commonly known as bruises, are caused by a blunt force trauma that damage tissues under the skin. b)Hematomas, also called a blood tumor, are caused by damage to a blood vessel that in turn causes blood to collect under the skin. c)Crush injury are caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time. d)Chronic and Acute or traumatic wounds are the result of injuries that disrupt the tissue. Chronic wounds are those that are caused by a relatively slow process that leads to tissue damage.
Chronic wounds include pressure, venous, and diabetic ulcers. Typically, an insufficiency in the circulation or other systemic support of the tissue causes it to fail and disintegrate. Infection then takes hold of the site and becomes a chronic abscess. Once the infection hits a critical point, it can spread locally or become systemic. Large wounds After a good cleaning, a large wound will heal faster if the cut edges are brought close together.
This would also help prevent infection. A large, deep wound can be closed only if: the cut is very clean.the c ut is less than six hours old. Before closing the cut, wash it well with soap and cool boiled water. Make sure no dirt is left in the cut. First Aid For … ? Wounds Proper cleaning of wound is most important in preventing infection and promoting good wounds healing. Below are some of the first aid for small wounds: Apply direct pressure over the wound. Clean the wounds and the skin around it with soap and water. Carefully remove loose foreign materials on the wound. You may use clean or preferably boiled tweezers. Do not force out any foreign material deeply stuck in the wound.
Wash with guava leaves decoction. Hydrogen peroxide should be used to further clean the wound. This can prevent tetanus. Objects applied to open wounds must be cleaned, sterilized or free from germs. Clean the wounds first after applying antibiotic cream or ointment. Large Wounds Squeeze the wound to encourage bleeding. Wash your hands and clean the wounds with water and soap. Hydrogen peroxide should be flushed into the wound with a clean syringe. Cover the wound loosely with a pad of clean cloth. Do not sew the wound or put butterfly bandages. Closed Wounds.
Have the injured person lie down. If possible, position the person’s head slightly lower than the trunk or elevate the legs. This position reduces the risk of fainting by increasing blood flow to the brain. If also possible, elevate the site of bleeding. Remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Don’t remove any large or more deeply embedded objects. Don’t probe the wound or attempt to clean it at this point. Your principal concern is to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure directly on the wound. Use a sterile bandage, clean cloth or even a piece of clothing.
If nothing else is available, use your hand. Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops. When it does, bind the wound tightly with a bandage (or even a piece of clean clothing) and adhesive tape. Don’t reposition displaced organs. If the wound is abdominal and organs have been displaced, don’t try to reposition them. Cover the wound with a dressing. Infected Wounds Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and bandage into place. Raise the injured part if possible, to reduce swelling and pain. Seek early medical advice. Treat for shock if necessary.