Foreign body in a wound

Skin | General Practice | Foreign body in a wound (Disease)


Description

A skin wound that doesnt heal, heals slowly or heals but tends to recur is known as a chronic wound. Some of the many causes of chronic (ongoing) skin wounds can include trauma, burns, skin cancers, infection or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes. Wounds that take a long time to heal need special care.

Symptoms may include persistent wound infection, cloudy discharge from a wound, chronic pain, sensation that something is in the wound.

Causes and Risk factors

A foreign body in a wound is a foreign material in a cut. The most common foreign bodies are gravel, small rocks, sand, glass, and wood. If the foreign body is not removed an infection of the wound can occur. The best way to prevent a foreign body in a wound is to clean the area with running water. The healthcare provider usually examines the wound and tries to visualize any material after the wound has been cleaned.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Sometimes an X-ray or CT scan is helpful in detecting a foreign body.

Treatment for a skin foreign body may include wound care, removal of the foreign body, wound repair, antibiotics, and tetanus vaccination. Surgery may be required, in order to remove the foreign body or to repair damaged tissue. If there is no associated infection and the foreign body is not causing an symptoms it may be left in the wound. Foreign bodies associated with an infection or pain will be surgically removed. ...