Instructions

• Instructions for new users

Call 911 Now If:

• Puncture on the head, neck, chest or abdomen that may go deep

Call Your Doctor Now If:

• You think your child has a serious injury
• Puncture on the head, neck, chest, abdomen that isn’t deep
• Puncture overlying a joint
• Tip of the object is broken off and missing
• Feels like something still in the wound
• Won't stand (bear weight or walk) on punctured foot
• Needle stick from used or discarded injection needle
• Sharp object or setting was very dirty (e.g. a barnyard)
• No previous tetanus shots
• Dirt (debris) or pencil lead pigment is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing
• Severe pain
• Wound looks infected (redness, red streaks, swollen, tenderness)
• Fever occurs

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Last tetanus shot was over 5 years ago

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

• You have other questions or concerns

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

Cleansing

Wash with soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For any dirt or debris, scrub the wound surface back and forth with a wash cloth to remove it.

If the wound rebleeds a little, that may help remove germs.

Trimming

Cut off any flaps of loose skin that seal the wound and interfere with drainage or removing debris. Use a fine scissors, after cleaning them with rubbing alcohol.

Antibiotic Ointment

Apply an antibiotic ointment and a Band-Aid to reduce the risk of infection. Re-soak the area and re-apply an antibiotic ointment every 12 hours for 2 days.

Pain Medicine

Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for any pain.

Expected Course

Puncture wounds seal over in 1 to 2 hours. Pain should resolve within 2 days.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Dirt in the wound persists after 15 minutes of scrubbing
• Pain becomes severe
• It begins to look infected (redness, red streaks, tenderness, pus, fever)
• Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms