Traumatic Open Wounds: Let’s Define the Types

Learn the difference between the types of open wounds caused by trauma.

Traumatic open wounds involve a disruption in the integrity of the skin and underlying tissues caused by mechanical forces. In other words, these wounds are caused by brief but forceful contact with another object or surface. Types of traumatic wounds include abrasions, lacerations, avulsions, punctures, and excoriations. 

Differentiating the types of traumatic open wounds involves noting the characteristics of the tissue, as well as the nature of the mechanical force that caused it.

Below, we outline six acute, traumatic open wounds that are commonly confused.

Abrasion

Abrasions result from shearing of the skin by a rough surface. They appear as lines of scraped skin with tiny spots of bleeding.

Their size can vary from the common scraped knee to road rash over a large area of the body.

Abrasions are always partial thickness, however. You’ll see skin loss through the epidermis and sometimes into the dermis, but not through the entire dermis.

Excoriation

In a layperson’s terms, excoriation is called a scratch. It is similar to abrasion in that it is a partial thickness shearing of skin.

With excoriation, however, the erosion is even more noticeably linear (line-like) because of the mechanical force that caused it.

Light contact with cat’s claws, for example, leads to excoriation, whereas brushing or dragging the skin across a rough, flat surface such as pavement leads to abrasion.

Many clinicians mistakenly use the term excoriation to refer to denudation, which is the correct term for the loss of the epidermis that’s caused by prolonged exposure to body fluids such as urine, feces and exudate plus friction.

When assessing a case of Moisture Associated Skin Dermatitis (MASD), document the areas of erosion as denuded, not excoriated.

Skin tear

The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) defines skin tears as follows:

A skin tear is a wound caused by shear, friction and/or blunt force resulting in separation of skin layers. A skin tear can be partial thickness (separation of the epidermis from the dermis) or full thickness (separation of both the epidermis and dermis from underlying structures).

Skin tears occur principally on the extremities of older adults because of changes in the skin’s structure that make it more fragile, such as flattening of the junction between the dermis and epidermis. Infants are more vulnerable to skin tears as well.

The ISTAP has developed a skin tear classification system:

• Type 1: No skin loss. Linear or flap tear that can be repositioned to cover the wound bed.
• Type 2: Partial skin loss. Partial flap loss that cannot be repositioned to cover the wound bed.
• Type 3: Total flap loss. Total flap loss exposing entire wound bed.

Because there are a reported 1.5 million instances of skin tears among patients within hospitals, long-term care facilities and other settings, there are global efforts to promote skin tear prevention within these institutions.

Efforts include recommending environmental modifications and raising awareness of the proper care for aging and immature skin.

Avulsion

A skin avulsion, also called “degloving,” occurs when tissue is not just separated but forcefully torn away from the body. It is marked by heavy, rapid bleeding and a noticeable absence of tissue.

Avulsions go deep into the subcutaneous tissue or further (muscle or bone).

The key difference between skin tears and avulsions is depth, which is directly related to the level of force applied.

WCEI Clinical Instructor Bill Richlen, PT, WCC, DWC, explains, “Skin tears can be both full or partial thickness. However, in the case of a skin tear, the full thickness ones are generally only deep enough to expose the subcutaneous tissue.”

Laceration

Lacerations are torn or jagged wounds with edges that do not readily line up. Tear lacerations tend to be caused by blunt force trauma, such as a blow, fall or collision.

A blunt injury that rips open the skin over a bony prominence, such as the scalp, is one example. There may be little or profuse bleeding and minimal or extensive tissue damage.

Puncture

Puncture wounds are caused by a sharp object that deeply penetrates the skin, such as a nail. Generally, puncture wounds are deeper than they are wide.

Typically, there’s little bleeding around the outside of the wound and more bleeding inside, causing discoloration. Puncture wounds may not seem serious but, due to the introduction of germs into the deeper layers of skin, they may easily become infected. There is also the risk that the puncturing object may break off and remain within the skin layers.  

Open wounds can mix and mingle

Note that multiple open wound types can result from a single source of trauma.

A bite from a large dog can cause a crush injury, which may lead to lacerations, puncture wounds and avulsion.

By using the correct terms for open wounds, you can communicate clearly and efficiently with your team, giving them an accurate understanding of the wound being treated.

As with any open wound, traumatic open wounds are at risk of infection. If a traumatic injury wound develops signs of infection such as drainage, odor, redness, warmth, swelling, or the patient develops fever, nausea, or chills, the patient should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Traumatic wounds should also be evaluated by a healthcare professional if the patient is elderly, very young, immunocompromised, or at risk such as diabetic.

If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge of wound care, networking with colleagues, or seeing the latest wound care products and technology, register for the Wild on Wounds (WOW) conference September 13–16 in Hollywood, Florida.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2019 and has been updated with new content. 

Tara Call Triplett, RN, WCC, CHFN

Tara Call Triplett has over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse and is the founder of Call to Health Communications. She is nationally certified in both wound care and heart failure. Triplett currently leads an amazing team of clinicians at an award winning outpatient wound care clinic. She has a passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of wound care clinicians.

Lacerations: Definition, Diagnosis & Treatment | Portland Urgent Care

Lacerations are scary when they happen, especially if you do not know what to look for or how to handle a cut. Knowing what to look for and how to handle a laceration will help you to determine the correct form of treatment. Find out everything you need to know about lacerations to make the best decisions for you and your family.

What is a laceration wound?

A laceration wound refers to a skin wound without missing skin. Usually, lacerations are caused by sharp objects. These are one of the easiest medical conditions to diagnose and easy to treat. Lacerations form by tearing the soft body tissue, that is, the top layer or layers of skin. Furthermore, lacerations are irregular tear-like wounds often caused by blunt trauma. 

Puncture wounds break more than soft tissue. Lacerations can be deep, shallow, long, short, wide, and even narrow. Minor lacerations do not usually require medical assistance as they can be treated at home with proper cleaning, ointments, and bandages. Also, minor lacerations will not bleed as much as deep lacerations. 

Deeper lacerations may require stitches if they are deep, bleeding profusely, have jagged edges, or expose muscle or fat. Seek medical attention for deep lacerations, especially cuts that will not stop bleeding. Often lacerations are misused as incisions that are caused on purpose or have clearly defined edges. 

What are the signs and symptoms of a laceration?

Lacerations are easy to spot as they refer to damage to the skin. As the skin has nerves, you will feel a sharp pain from a cut. Also, the cut skin will bleed and have a visible tear in the skin when the blood is out of the way. Often you will know when a laceration happens as it involves a cut or injury. The laceration victim will often scream in pain when the accident occurs, which is the first symptom of a cut. 

How do you describe a laceration?

Describe a laceration as a defined tear in the tissue of the skin caused by either shearing or crushing force. Often, lacerations are a result of blunt trauma. A laceration can also be described as an incomplete separation of strong tissue elements such as blood vessels or nerves. Lacerations can be caused by both sharp or dull trauma.

What is the difference between a cut and a laceration?

Cuts and lacerations are often used interchangeably as both indicate damaged skin from a blunt or sharp object. However, a cut often refers to a mild laceration as cuts do not often require more than antibacterial ointment and a bandage. Lacerations may be deeper and require pressure to stop the bleeding and even stitches depending on the depth of the injury or exposure of other parts like bone, tendons, ligaments, or muscle. 

How do you treat a wound laceration?

The first step to treat laceration is to stop the bleeding with pressure and gauze or bandage. Once the wound stops bleeding, clean the area to remove all dirt and debris. Clean by running cool water over the area and then use mild soap and water if possible. Dry with a sterile cloth. 

Next, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a sterile gauze bandage and medical tape. For smaller lacerations, use a self-sticking bandage for the wound. Clean and replace bandages daily until the wound heals. For smaller cuts, you may be able to use skin closure strips. Avoid using liquid bandages for cuts without consulting a doctor first. 

For deeper lacerations, go to the doctors for stitches. If you can see anything other than the first layer of skin, you also need to go to the doctor for proper treatment. If a cut measures larger than half an inch or has a large gaping wound, it probably requires stitches. 

Moreover, the location of a wound may require stitches to stay shut, such as on a joint, face, near the eye, or in the genital area. Another indication that a laceration requires medical attention is a risk of infection or disease such as a rusty nail, a scratch or bite, or another potentially contaminated item. Finally, prolonged bleeding requires medical assistance. 

After a few days, even if treating a minor laceration, you need to look for signs of infections or complications. Look for fever, chills, redness, swelling, white or yellow pus or drainage from the wound, or worsening pain. Do not wait to see a doctor if any of these symptoms occur; seek medical attention quickly. 

Can a laceration heal without stitches?

Eventually, a laceration will heal on its own without stitches. However, stitches promote faster healing, keep the wound clean from bacteria and infection, and prevent scarring. Furthermore, stitches or staples can help to reduce blood loss and reduce future complications from the wound. Lacerations can sever toes or fingers, and these cannot heal well without stitches. 

How long does it take for a laceration to heal?

Depending on the wound, it can take up to three months for the wound to fully heal. If you require stitches, the wound can heal faster in about six to eight weeks. Minor cuts and lacerations can heal in as little as two weeks, especially if the cut is very small. 

The location of the wound can impact healing as well. If the injury is on your hand, foot, knee, or elbow, it may take longer to heal as the body part moves more often. Immobilizing and injury on these parts, while frustrating, can help the cut to heal faster. 

How can I make my laceration heal faster?

The best way to help a laceration heal faster is to take proper care of the wound. Furthermore, if the cut requires stitches, then get stitches. Most importantly, keep the wound clean to prevent infection and covered to keep out dirt and debris. Avoid an unhealthy diet and drink more water to help provide the nutrients you need to heal properly. Try to eat food rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to help heal quickly. Lastly, avoid smoking and drugs of any sort to give yourself the best chance of healing. 

How deep does a cut heal?

Lacerations heal in four stages. Stage one is stopping the bleeding, also called hemostasis. Adding pressure can help to stop blood flow as the blood clots to prevent blood loss and closes the wound by making a scab, which is stage two. At this stage, you may notice inflammation as well as that helps to heal. 

Stage three involves rebuilding or growth as oxygen-rich red blood cells move to the injury and create new tissue. The last stage is maturation or strengthening, where the wound clots and heals. At this stage, you may notice itching or tightness around pink or stretched skin. From here, the body will continue to heal until the wound is gone or left with a scar. Over time, even deep cuts will heal, but stitches will help to reduce healing time. 

How do you describe a deep laceration?

A deep laceration is a severe laceration. Describe a deep laceration by the size, size, shape, orientation, and margins. You could also describe a deep laceration as a gash as it implies a longer or deeper cut. Make sure to also describe if you can see bones, muscles, or other internal parts that should not be visible. 

What is a severe laceration?

Severe lacerations are those that require stitches, are infected, or will not stop bleeding. Deep lacerations that expose internal parts are also severe. They may extend through more layers of tissue and cause significant pain. Do not hesitate to go to a doctor for a severe laceration. While minor cuts can be cared for at home, deep or severe cuts require medical attention. 

Should I see a doctor for a laceration?

If, after applying pressure, the bleeding does not stop, then you need to see a doctor for a laceration. All severe lacerations require a doctor for treatment. Additionally, if you see signs of infection or if the laceration was caused by something that could cause infection, then seek medical attention. See a doctor also if the laceration is near the eye. Signs of shock warrant a visit to the doctors as well, including a weak pulse, clammy skin, or rapid breathing. 

Signs of the wound reopening require a visit to the doctors as well. Furthermore, look for new or unexpected symptoms such as spasms, rigidity in the muscles, or near the wound. All of these symptoms may indicate complications that require professional care. 

Why choose Portland Urgent Care for laceration treatment?

Portland Urgent Care  works with a multitude of insurance companies to serve more customers. We also use a variety of integrated medical resources by combining both western and eastern medical healthcare which allows us to serve you the way your body needs. 

We offer same-day and walk-in appointments for laceration for immediate care with the best doctors. Get a dedicated treatment plan to prevent infection and help lacerations heal quickly. From bandaging to stitches, we can do everything you need to help deal with the blood and pain to get you on the road to recovery.  

Conclusion

Mild lacerations can be treated at home with antibiotic cream and a bandage. Deeper or severe lacerations that will not stop the bleed run the risk of infection or that are deep require medical attention. When in doubt, stop by Portland Urgent Care and let us look over your wound and help decide the best form of treatment to ensure a quick and safe recovery.

For more information on injuries, see our related blogs:

Common Causes & Effects of Neck Injuries

Neck Injury Treatment

Types of Back Injuries

How Do You Know If Your Back Injury Is Serious?

Types of Ankle Injuries

Common Types & Causes of Knee Injuries

How To Treat & Recover From Knee Injuries

Wrist Ligament Injuries

Wrist Injuries Causes & Treatment

Difference Between Sprains vs Strains

How to properly treat wounds – on the website Pharmacy

Scratches, abrasions, cuts, lacerations – we can “get” all this even in our own apartments. And in the country, the risk grows exponentially. At the height of the season, we talk about how to properly treat wounds and when to see a doctor.

So, let’s start with when exactly you need to seek the help of specialists:

1. When a small child got hurt.

2. When bitten by animals – not only dogs, but also foxes, hedgehogs, rodents. This is very important, since the animal can be a carrier of rabies, and only timely medical care can save the victim.

3. If the wound was caused by a dirty or rusty object and you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years.

4. For cuts and lacerations, if the depth of the wound is deeper or more than 1.5 cm.

5. If there is bleeding of a pulsating nature.

6. If wounds and deep cuts on the hands, face, neck, head.

7. When the blood does not stop for more than 20 minutes.

8. When there are several wounds.

9. If a high temperature has risen and persists after the injury.

10. If the victim has dizziness and nausea.

11. If there is inflammation, the wound does not heal well.

How to treat wounds

Prepare to treat the wound: wash your hands and apply hand sanitizer, alcohol solution, or an alcohol wipe.

Depending on the type of wound, the procedure may vary slightly, but in general it is as follows:

Examine the wound, determine what its nature is and how severe the damage is

· Try to stop the bleeding.

Rinse the wound with hydrogen peroxide (3%), a solution of chlorhexidine or furacilin (0.5%), or a solution of pink potassium permanganate (it must be filtered through gauze). Dry the wound with a tissue.

· Treat the skin around the wound with an antiseptic and apply a sterile bandage. Afterwards, do not forget to do dressings.

Make a decision about the need to see a doctor. Take a pain reliever if necessary.

Almost all “household” wounds are dirty, so it is very important to clean the wound, if possible, without touching it with your hands. A clean wound will heal faster and help avoid complications.

Only the edges of the wound need to be treated. You can not pour alcohol, iodine, brilliant green, etc. into it, otherwise you will burn the tissues, and as a result, instead of a small scar, a huge scar may appear at the site of the wound.

If the wound is deep, stop the bleeding with a pressure bandage and seek immediate medical attention. Just remember that a pressure bandage should not be applied for more than half an hour.

On cuts and lacerations, you can apply an antibacterial and wound-healing ointment Levomekol, and a sterile bandage on top. This bandage should be changed twice a day. It is important to keep the wound and dressings clean.

If the wound does not heal for a long time, it is most often due to an infection. This can be determined by the fact that the wound hurts, gets wet, fester. In this case, you need to consult a doctor.

In order for wounds to heal faster, it is recommended to eat more meat, vegetables and fruits and generally try to eat right, get enough sleep, do not drink alcohol and do not smoke. Also, if possible, try not to reduce physical activity, as it strengthens the immune system.

Sewing incised and lacerated wounds in St. Petersburg

Prices Doctors Our centers

Incised Wound Lacerated Wound Treatment
First aid

After receiving a wound, the danger to a person is bleeding, and at a later stage, infection, which
can develop in the wound and cause complications such as sepsis or tetanus.

Cut wound

Cut wound – a wound caused by a sharp object. It has sharp corners, smooth edges and a linear shape,
bleeds heavily. May be superficial or accompanied by damage to muscles, nerves, blood vessels and internal
organs.

Laceration

Laceration – an injury to the skin or mucous membrane resulting from exposure,
exceeding the ability of tissues to stretch. It is formed under the influence of a hard blunt object. With such a wound
uneven edges, there are exfoliation of tissues. Accompanied by bleeding, damage to muscles, nerves and blood vessels is possible.
Often wounds are accompanied by a shock effect, which is explained by severe pain and bleeding.

Treatment

At the SM-Clinic, experienced surgeons provide surgical care for all types of minor injuries. Wounds operate
under general or local anesthesia. A fresh wound is washed, then the edges of the wound are cut in such a way that they are as
closer to each other. The edges of the wound are then sutured. Usually the stitches are removed on the 7-10th day. infected wounds
flush, dilate or open if necessary, remove pus and non-viable tissue, and drain without
stitching. An incised wound less than a day old is washed with a solution of peroxide and furacilin. In the presence of
damage to muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, they are tied up, sewn together. Then the wound walls are excised with repeated
washing, after which it is sutured in layers and drained. The drainage is removed after 2-3 days, the sutures are removed after 7-10 days.

Promotion! Free consultation with a surgeon about surgery

Take advantage of this unique opportunity and get a free consultation about elective surgery.

Our surgery center features

• more than 15 highly qualified surgeons;
• latest equipment;
• comfortable room;
• 24/7 surveillance;
• recovery in 1 day.

First Aid

When injured, it is very important to provide proper first aid before seeking medical attention. The purpose of the first
help to stop bleeding and protect the wound from infections. To do this, a bandage is applied to the wound. Before overlay
dressings, it is necessary to treat the skin around the wound with an antiseptic agent (3% hydrogen peroxide solution, alcohol
iodine solution, vodka). The wound should not be rinsed with water. You can not put cotton wool on the wound itself. Next to the wound
a bandage is applied. It should not disrupt blood circulation in the limbs!

View the entire list

* You can learn more about the conditions here – Treatment on credit or installments

Preliminary cost. The exact cost of the operation can only be determined by the surgeon during a free consultation.

Specialists in this field 27 doctors

Leading doctors 8 doctors

Giniyatov Anvar Rinatovich

Sports doctor, orthopedic traumatologist. Traumatologist of the volleyball club “Zenith”

Work experience: 8 years

Dunaysky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

Make an appointment

Kozlov Igor Andreevich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

900 02 Work experience: 5 years

Marshal Zakharov, 20

Leninsky Prospect Prosveshcheniya

Make an appointment

Igor Dergulev

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 11 years 90 003

Danube, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

Make an appointment

Skulkin Andrey Valerievich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 31 years

Vyborg highway, 17

m. Prosveshcheniya

Make an appointment

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 33 years

Udarnikov, 19

Ladozhskaya metro station

Make an appointment

Urbanovich Sergey Ivanovich

Traumatologist, burn surgeon

Work experience: 12 years

Vyborg highway, 17

Prosveshcheniya metro station

Make an appointment

Alexey Danilkin

90 002 Traumatologist, pediatric surgeon

Work experience: 15 years

Udarnikov 4 7

Dunayskaya metro station

Make an appointment

Show more
+19 doctors

Other doctors 19 doctors

Angelcheva Tatyana Avramovna

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 8 years

Dybenko, 13k4

m. 166
Antonov Ilya Alexandrovich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 9 years

Marshal Zakharov, 20

metro station Leninskiy pr-t

Make an appointment

Borisova Olga Mikhailovna

Pediatric surgeon

Work experience: 16 years

Dunaysky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

Make an appointment

Gvozdev Maxim Alexandrovich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 11 years

Vyborg highway, 17

Prospect Prosveshcheniya metro station

Make an appointment

Grebenyuk Mikhail Viktorovich

Orthopedist-traumatologist

Work experience: 18 years

Vyborg highway, 17

Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station

Make an appointment

Drakh Elvis Kvaku

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 7 years

Vyborgskoe shosse, 17

Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station

Make an appointment

Yezhovsky Vyacheslav Yurievich

Traumatologist-orthopedist. Doctor of the highest category.

Work experience: 23 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

Make an appointment

Islamov Magomedgadzhi Magomedhabibovich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 7 years
Karapetyan Sergey Vazgenovich

Orthopedist-traumatologist, podologist

Work experience: 15 years

Dunaisky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

Make an appointment

Kikaev Adlan Olkhozurovich

Orthopedic traumatologist

Work experience: 9 years
Kovalenko-Klychkova Nadezhda Alexandrovna

Traumatologist-orthopedist. Operating pediatric orthopedist. Doctor of the first category. Candidate of Medical Sciences.

Work experience: 13 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

Make an appointment

Kolyadin Maxim Alexandrovich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 15 years

Make an appointment

Kustikov Anton Aleksandrovich

Traumatologist, pediatric surgeon

Work experience: 7 years

Marshal Zakharov, 20

Leninsky Prospekt metro station

Make an appointment

Mitin Andrey Viktorovich

Traumatologist-orthopedist, pediatric surgeon, pediatric surgeon-urologist

Work experience: 24 years
Mikhailov Alexander Pavlovich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 5 years

Vyborgskoye shosse, 17

Prospect Prosveshcheniya metro station

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

Make an appointment

Panfilov Artyom Igorevich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 10 years

Marshala Zakharova, 20

Leninsky Prospect metro station

Make an appointment

Petrov Artem Viktorovich

Orthopedist-traumatologist

Work experience: 10 years

Dunaysky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

Make an appointment

Polukhin Alexey Alekseevich

Traumatologist-orthopedist

Work experience: 4 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

Make an appointment

Popov Evgeniy Sergeevich

Work experience: 22 years

Vyborgskoe shosse, 17

metro Prospekt Prosveshcheniya

Make an appointment

Hide list

Our offices in St.