Puncture wounds are caused by a sharp object, such as a nail, that penetrates skin layers and leaves behind a piercing in the skin. These wounds are prone to infection, as bacteria can be driven deep inside skin, and can be difficult to clean...
Any injury that pierces the skin carries a risk of infection. The best way to avoid infection is to clean the wound as quickly as possible after it happens. The best way to clean a puncture wound is to let it bleed. You can gently press on the...
Stepping on a nail can cause a painful wound on the bottom of your foot. Worse yet, puncture wounds such as those caused by a nail can cause an infection if not properly cared for. You'll also need to receive a tetanus shot if you have not had a...
Bacterial arthritis, also known as septic arthritis, is an infection in a joint. Joints are lined with a thin tissue called the synovium. Bacteria can easily enter the joint through the synovium and begin causing severe pain and damage to the...
If your arches hurt while running on a treadmill, you most likely have plantar fasciitis. A puncture wound to the foot could also be causing discomfort on your arch while running. Entry holes for puncture wounds can be too small to see, so...
Rattlesnakes are dangerous to humans and animals, due to the venom in their bites. In most species, the venom contains hemotoxins which negatively impact the circulatory system and cause damage to skin tissue. The bite of a rattlesnake can cause...
Sand burr, an unwelcome intruder in lawns and beaches throughout the Southern United States, is an annual grass that reproduces by burrs, or stickers. The burrs attach themselves to shoelaces, clothing, pet fur and even tires, and feature...
Wounds are injuries to the body that range from very minor, like a scratch that bleeds very little, to severe, such as complete removal of a body part. Wounds are often categorized into four main classes based on the type of injury.
Wound care can often be done without professional medical care. The steps of cleansing and protecting from infection are simple. The signs for when to seek more professional help are also easily seen. Whether it is a scrape, cut or puncture wound,...
The skin is the primary barrier blocking microbes from entering the body and causing infection. Breaks in this skin barrier result in wounds, which can be caused by various different injuries or bites. Wounds can result in excessive blood loss,...
A wound is any type of injury to the skin. Wounds can be open wounds, in which the skin is broken or torn or closed wounds. Although open wounds can bleed and run the risk of infections, closed wounds can also be dangerous depending on the extent...
Pain can manifest in any part of the foot, including the heel, toes, arches, sole and ankles, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Each foot has three distinct arches: the medial longitudinal arch, lateral...
The term "wound" means that the skin has either been torn or punctured or that it has been bruised by some type of blunt force trauma. Wounds can occur in many different forms and cause a variety of symptoms depending on the wound type. Proper...
At some point in your life, you will likely have a scar. You may have one from birth or from a cut, burn, puncture wound or acne. Small scars often do not run deep into your flesh and are relatively easy to repair. There are are several options to...
A wound is an injury that typically causes a break in the integrity of the skin. The skin is the body's first protection against infection. When there is a break in the skin, there is an increased risk of infection. Certain wounds have a higher...
Each step taken by an adult can place 900 lbs. of pressure per square inch on the bottom of the foot, making it likely that over a lifetime nearly everyone may suffer a foot injury that results in swelling and pain. Pain and swelling can affect...
Dark scars on the skin can occur from a burn scar, an acne scar, or a scar developing from a puncture wound or laceration. This type of scar can be very noticeable when located on the face, and people that develop these scars may seek ways to...
Acne scarring is a widespread problem. According to the Acne Resource Center, 25 percent of the teens who suffer from acne will have permanent acne scars that range from light to severe. Your dermatologist can perform a number of procedures to...
The rare illness known as botulism is caused by a neurotoxin produced by the spores of the bacteria, Clostriduim botulinum. This toxin may be ingested in contaminated food, or may be introduced into the body by growth of the bacteria in a deep, or...
Body piercing uses a cannula, or hollow needle, to make a clean slice through skin. Because the needle enters the skin and comes out the other side, a piercing should be treated like any other puncture wound. Swimming pools can contain irritants...
Body piercing has become a popular way to wear jewelry and express yourself. Navel piercing places a hole from the inside of the navel to the upper outside. All body piercing requires individual attention. A piecing is a puncture wound that must...
Swelling of the lip can be caused by an allergic reaction or trauma to the area or, in rare cases, as a result of certain diseases such as leukemia or Hodgkin's disease. Once you identify the cause of your swollen lip, you can begin reducing the...
Spots on the feet can be unsightly and irritating, especially if they are inflamed or sensitive to the touch. They can develop on the underside of the feet due to several medical conditions and illnesses---some that must be treated by a doctor....
Like any other injury to the skin, piercings can lead to scarring. Your body is just trying to repair the puncture wound by increasing the production of connective tissue. With nose piercings, the healing process can eventually lead to a small...
Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium that produces a potent toxin that can cause the serious disease tetanus in humans. People typically contract tetanus through introduction of the Clostridium tetani spores via a puncture wound or even a...
Antibacterial ointment is valuable to any household which treats a fair amount of minor abrasions and lacerations. For years, conventional wisdom held that the best way to treat small scrapes and cuts was to let them "air," and not use...
Piercing through scar tissue is possible, though it may be a bit uncomfortable. Scars are quite tough, which means pushing a needle through them can be difficult. However, a professional certified by the Association of Professional Piercers has...
Piercings in the nose can be placed through the cartilage of the nostril or just below the cartilage of the septum. Because a septum piercing does not actually penetrate cartilage, it has a shorter healing time than a nostril piercing. With a good...
After someone sustains a chest injury, his condition should be immediately assessed. The bones of the chest help protect vital organs, including the lungs and the heart. If muscles and bones are damaged, it could affect breathing and even be...