Types of wounds

Wounds are precisely one of the most common pathologies in emergency medical services. They are known as such to the interruption of the continuity of the tissues as a result of an attack. There are different types of wounds, of minor or major severity.

What is a wound?

The absence of continuity of the skin is known as a wound , the most frequent cause of which is a cut with a sharp object. However, it can also be caused by the bite of an animal or a blow, for example.

It is interesting to know how to identify a wound and provide necessary first aid until the patient receives medical assistance. In the vast majority of cases, a wound does not pose an immediate health risk. However, it is important to act appropriately to avoid possible complications.

Types of wounds that exist

Faced with a certain wound, the first and most important thing is to identify it correctly. This makes it easier to know how to deal with it.

Depending on the cause

Burn

When a burn occurs, there is a clotting injury to the skin . The burn is due to direct contact with a flame or hot object; also by radiation from a heat source, although it is not so common.

As is logical, the burn is deeper the higher the temperature that has caused the injury. The mildest of all is the so-called superficial. However, it is also the most painful since the nerve receptors have not been destroyed.

The most serious burns are partial and total deep burns . Deep injuries that in some cases may require surgical intervention to heal.

Ulcer

An ulcer is known as a wound whose healing is slow and complicated. They are a type of chronic wound that affects the tissues that occurs especially in people who stay in bed for a long time, such as chronically ill patients. The pressure exerted by the bones on the skin causes a blockage in the blood vessels, thus causing the degeneration of the tissues.

Contused

Blunt injuries occur after a high-impact blow . Blood vessels under the skin break and blood pools in the subcutaneous tissues. In milder cases, treatment consists of applying cold water or ice to the area.

Stinging

Puncture wounds are those produced by a pointed object . They are often the deepest ones.

Special

There are two types of wounds that are considered “special.”

• By firearm: these injuries have an entry hole, which is smaller than the exit hole. They lead to massive tissue destruction.
• By bite: it is generally animal, although the bite can also be human. Sometimes they are lesions with avulsion, either partial or total, in areas such as the lips or hands. The risk of infection is very high.

Depending on the gravity

Open

The main characteristic of an open wound is that there is separation of the skin . It is important to check the distance between both ends and its depth to know the severity of it. Depending on the opening, you may or may not need stitches.

Closed

The main difference with an open wound is that a closed wound does not require stitches to heal. There is no separation of the skin, but in a high percentage of cases there is a hematoma. The main cause is a blow.

Simple

It is the least serious type of injury of all. It only affects the skin , without damaging any organ or other part of the body. The most common symptom is local pain, the intensity of which decreases progressively over time.

Complicated

And finally, the complicated wound. It is characterized by being extensive and of a certain depth. It results in profuse bleeding, and an organ, nerve, or blood vessel is almost always affected.

What does it take to heal a wound?

There are a number of elements that are basic as an element of healing for an injury of this type. It is advisable to always have them in the medicine cabinet.

• Gauze pads: they are very useful to stop bleeding and cover wounds, thus minimizing the risk of infection.
• Dressings: once the lesion has been disinfected, it is covered with a dressing.
• Bandages: bandages are very useful to cover wounds and generate pressure.
• Adhesive tape: essential to fix both bandages and dressings.
• Scissors: it is best to have round-tipped scissors to cut bandages and dressings.

As for medications, painkillers are best suited to reduce pain. However, in no case should they be taken without a prescription. In case of minor first degree burns, a cream can be applied.

How to heal a wound

Wounds are very common among both children and adults. Thus, it is important to know how to heal step by step to avoid any type of complication.

1. First of all, it is important to wash your hands with pH neutral soap and water. In this way the risk of suffering any type of infection is minimized.
2. Next, the type of wound in question should be observed . For this, there are several factors to take into account. On the one hand, if the patient has pain. On the other hand, if the bleeding is abundant. Also, the extent and depth of the wound. And finally, the blood type; if it is darker, it is arterial blood, so the injury is more serious.
3. In case of bleeding , press with sterile gauze. If you don’t have any on hand, you can apply pressure with a clean cloth.
4. In addition, it is convenient to check if there are foreign objects in the wound , such as crystals. If there are any, they should not be removed in any case.
5. And finally, when the bleeding has stopped, the wound is covered with a bandage .

These are the basic first aid that must be given to a certain injury. In case it is serious or requires stitches, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

What not to do when faced with an injury?

There are a series of actions that in no case should be done in the face of a certain wound because they can worsen the diagnosis, and even lead to serious complications.

• Tourniquets: in no case must tourniquets be made. The reason is that it could paralyze the blood circulation in the affected limb and lead to its necrosis .
• Blowing: although there are many who say that the wound should be blown to remove the dirt, the truth is that it is an unwise practice. And it is that in the saliva there may be certain microorganisms that cause an infection.
• Foreign objects: as we have indicated, in the presence of foreign objects in the wound, they should never be removed.
• Gauze: and, finally, if there is severe bleeding and pressure is being applied with gauze, it should never be removed. Otherwise, the layer created to stop the bleeding can be broken.

How to heal a burn

Burns are common in the home. Thus, it is important to know how they should be cured.

The first thing is to recognize the type of burn in question. The first degree are characterized by redness of the skin and a sensation of intense pain. Second-degree patients have redness of the skin and blisters. And the third grade, the most serious of all, have a charred look.

Next, you have to cool the affected area . Cold water can be applied to the injury. The burn, like any type of wound, also has a certain risk of infection. That is why it is recommended to cover with gauze or dressings.

In no case should you remove the clothing that is adhering to the burned area or burst the blisters . These are tasks that must be performed by a medical professional.

Complications of a wound

There are two complications that can occur from a wound that has not received adequate care.

The first of these is hemorrhage, which can lead to shock, and even death of the patient. And, the second, the infection, which recurs more frequently than the hemorrhage.

In a high percentage of cases it is mild, so that it only delays the healing process. If a severe infection occurs , it can lead to the loss of the affected limb, and even death if it is not treated properly.

Conclution

In the vast majority of cases, the wounds are superficial, so that only the most superficial layers of the skin are damaged. However, sometimes they can be deeper, affecting both tissues and organs. Depending on the cause, as well as the depth and location, the severity of an injury can be very different; from an injury whose treatment is simple to putting the patient’s life at risk.