How to Clean a Nail Puncture Wound

I’m Adam Turbak, and I’ve stepped on two nails and have been shot with a nail gun. Nails can cause some troubling issues if they aren’t treated correctly. It is imperative that you know how to clean a nail wound so that you can help treat yourself or someone else. Today I am going to show you how to clean and bandage a nail puncture wound with a first aid kit.

Step 1: First Aid Kit

Buying the correct first aid kit that is suitable for a work area ensures that when the time comes, someone will have the items ready for use. The deluxe version first aid kit from the ULINE Company is a great choice as it has enough materials for 50 people.

Step 2: Relieving Pressure

Once the nail has penetrated the skin, all tasks need to stop. Remove any clothing or equipment covering the wound. Sit down to relieve the pressure on the affected area. Relieving the pressure off of the wound will help prevent any further and unnecessary damage.

Step 3: Safety Preparation

First get a first aid kit and surgical gloves to prepare to clean. Wearing surgical gloves will reduce the risk of spreading disease from blood contact.

Step 4: Rinsing

Rinse the affected area with clean water or wet cloth. Try to remove any particles that may be around the wound. This is going to further increase your chance of not getting an infection.

Step 5: Disinfecting

Open an antiseptic cloth packet and wipe over the area. Wiping the wound with an antiseptic wipe sterilizes the skin and skills the germs and bacteria on and around the wound.

Step 6: Preventing Infection

Next, open an antibiotic packet and spread the cream over the puncture spot. An antibiotic cream is going to help the area from getting infected.

Step 7: Securing the Wound

Finally, grab a band-aid and place it over the spot and wrap over it with gauze to secure the band-aid. Tape the gaze so that it will not come undone. Doing this is going to help keep particles and bacteria out of the wound. Failure to do this may also cause further injuries.

Step 8: Post Treatment

Occasionally replace the band-aid and gauze. Make sure to re-spread antibiotic ointment every time you replace the bandages. This step should be done every so often until the wound has fully healed.

Step 9: Tetanus Shot

If a tetanus shot has not been received over the last 10 years then going to the doctor and receiving a shot to help prevent tetanus should be a must. If muscles start to spasm after the incident, then go see a doctor right away. The tetanus shot can be quite a painful needle, so make sure there isn't heavy lifting/contact soon after the shot is received.

Step 10: Instructional Video

https://youtu.be/tvyiW02TCXQ