Types of Wounds and Wound Healing

Types of Wounds and Wound Healing

Introduction

An injury to the skin is known as a wound. There are two major types of wounds, open wounds and closed wounds. Open wounds can be classified as such when the wounds are broken or torn. These wounds bleed heavily and are at a very high risk of infection. On the other hand, closed wounds, depending on the extent of the tissue damage, are also dangerous. It is important to note that these wounds should be treated in an effective manner that helps in the healing process and that the person suffering from the wound does not have to suffer from pain for long. This paper will discuss four types of wounds, their complications and the healing process.

Discussion

Types of Wounds

Laceration

Laceration can be defined as a break occurs in the skin. These breaks can be minor or serious. Minor lacerations involve little pain and bleeding, no numbness or tingling in the area. Such wounds usually heal in a short time, without consulting a doctor. The major lacerations; however, include heavy bleeding and hurt a lot (Jones, 2008). Sometimes tendons or bones may be over the wound. In these cases urgent medical attention is needed. Lacerations are injuries that occur as a result of a blunt tool with a curved edge, such as a hook. The tool causes wounding obliquely or tangentially to the surface of the body, so laceration has an irregular shape and jagged, uneven edges. Lacerations also arise as a result of being bitten by a dog or other rabid animal. The presence of damaged, dead tissue in the wound infection causes lacerations to take time to heal and leave a big scar.

Abrasion

Abrasion is a mechanical surface damage blunt portion of the skin. It causes damage to the surface of the skin. Only the upper layers of the skin are damaged and are called excoriation. It most often occurs in small excoriated strength of the mechanical damage. The forces cause the upper skin layer to be abraded. Since the forces act differently, most abrasions at different depths have irregular edges of the wound (Korting, Et.al, 2011). If only the top layer of skin, the epidermis is damaged, there is no blood flow, as are the epidermis has no blood vessels; however, when there is more friction force, the abrasion lowers.

Puncture

This type of wound is caused when a sharp object enters in the skin. These wounds do not bleed heavily and are characterised as small wounds. These wounds are the quickest to cure, according to the doctors; however, care should be taken and the patients should consult the doctors as early as possible, due to the possibility of an infection. These types of wounds can cause infections such as tetanus; therefore, medical advice is recommended. It should be made sure that the patients get their wounds treated as soon as they can. Bites from animals or stepping on a nail or a sharp object are classified as puncture wounds (Price, ...