Assisted Living: Dealing With Everyone's Emotions

Know Your Major Skin Wound Types And The Treatment They Require

30 January 2015 by Julia Gregory

Some wounds heal fine after a swipe of antibiotic cream, while others require stitching and other medical care. Do you know the difference? Here is a look at the major types of skin wounds, and the treatment required in each case.

1. Abrasions

Skinned knees and rope burn are examples of abrasions. In this type of wound, the top layers are rubbed away as the skin slides over a rough surface. Most abrasions don't require medical care. Simply washing the wound with clear water and applying an antibiotic cream is sufficient. You should seek medical treatment, however, if you suffer a deep abrasion, such as that which occurs when motorcycle riders are dragged across pavement.

2. Puncture Wounds

Picture stabbing yourself with a pencil or knitting needle. The resulting wound would be considered a puncture wound -- it's deep with a narrow opening. Puncture wounds may not look serious, but they have a high risk of infection since bacteria can easily become trapped inside the wound. If you suffer a puncture wound, your best bet is to seek emergency care. A medical professional can clean out the wound and possibly even prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection as you heal.

3. Lacerations

Lacerations are cut-like wounds, such as that which would result if you cut yourself with a sharp knife or a piece of glass. The recommended treatment for a laceration depends on its severity. Small lacerations that only break through the top layers of skin and stop bleeding within a few minutes of applying pressure to the area don't usually require treatment.

However, if the edges of the wound are separated, the wound was made with a dirty object, or the incision is more than an inch long, you should head to the emergency room. Lacerations are generally treated with stitches to aid in healing.

4. Contusions

More commonly known as bruises, contusions occur when the surface of the skin is not broken, but the blood vessels running through it are damaged and cause bleeding beneath the skin. Most contusions are mild wounds. You might not even notice you have one until hours or days after bumping yourself on a hard surface.

However, if you suffer a contusion after a high-impact accident, or if the bruised area starts getting cold and turning pale, you should seek emergency care. Patients on blood-thinning medications should also seek care for contusions.

If you or a loved one suffers a skin injury and you're not sure whether medical treatment is required, don't be afraid to call the emergency room. The staff will ask you to describe your symptoms, and will tell you whether or not a visit to the ER is necessary.

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