Puncture Wounds

Check Your Symptoms

Overview

A puncture wound is a forceful injury caused by a sharp, pointed object that goes into the skin. A puncture wound is usually narrower and deeper than a cut or scrape. Many people get puncture wounds from household items, work items, or yard tools or when operating machinery. Most puncture wounds are minor, and home treatment is usually all that is needed.

Sharp objects, such as nails, tacks, ice picks, knives, teeth, and needles, can cause puncture wounds. These wounds raise your risk of infection because they are hard to clean and they provide a warm, moist place for bacteria to grow. The bacteria Pseudomonas are a common cause of infection when a person's foot gets punctured through the sole of an athletic shoe.

Some punctures are done for health reasons. For example, a needle puncture may be used by a doctor to draw blood or to put fluid or medicines into a vein (intravenous, or IV).

Health professionals have a higher risk for needle-stick injuries. A puncture from a used needle increases the risk of infection. It also increases the risk of getting a disease that is passed (transmitted) through blood, such as hepatitis or HIV. But for puncture wounds from clean needles, home treatment may be all that is needed.