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# Deep Wounds
## Leave deep wounds open
Any deep wounds should be left open to heal. Wounds that are not
closed properly can easily become infected. Rough, messy wounds and
puncture wounds in particular should be cleaned twice a day with
boiled water and kept open, or re-opened, so they will heal from the
inside.
Deep wounds can develop a tetanus infection. Unless the person had a
tetanus vaccination within the last 5 years, they will need one now
and also an injection of antitetanus immunoglobulin.
tetanus
medicines to prevent tetanus
If you are not sure whether closing a wound is a good idea, it
probably is not.
> Never close animal bites, puncture wounds, or rough, messy wounds.
## Animal bites
Clean animal bites very well with soap and water for 15 minutes or
more. Animal bites are likely to get infected, so give so give
amoxicillin with clavulanic acid or another combination of
antibiotics for animal bites.
antibiotics
animal bites
For monkey, bat and raccoon bites, get a rabies vaccination and
immunoglobulin immediately. Do the same for dog bites if the dog
could have rabies.
animal bites
Dog bite
Rabies is deadly. It affects the brain causing signs like confusion
or paralysis. Then, in just a few days, the person becomes
unconscious leading to death. Following a bite from an animal with
rabies, it can take a month or a few months for signs to appear but
by then it is too late to treat. If you think rabies is a
possibility and do not have rabies vaccine or rabies immunoglobulin,
contact your local health authority as soon as possible after the
bite.
Even if there is no rabies immunoglobulin available, washing the skin
thoroughly right away with soap and repeated rinsing, and giving the
series of rabies vaccine as soon as possible can prevent rabies.
## Knife wounds
Knife
Deep knife wounds should usually be kept open and cleaned often.
Give cloxacillin, clindamycin or cephalexin at any sign of infection.
antibiotics
Knife wounds to the chest or belly can be very dangerous. Get
medical help. On the way to help, see Chest Wounds for what to do
for a knife wound to the chest, or Abdomen Injuries for what to do
for a knife wound to the belly.
chest
abdomen
## Gunshot Wounds
Pistol
Get medical help as soon as possible for gunshot wounds. Use direct
pressure to stop bleeding. Check both where the bullet entered and
where it exited. If there is no exit wound, the bullet may have to
be removed.
bleeding
Gunshot wounds are likely to become infected. In all cases, wash the
wound well and give one of these: cloxacillin, clindamycin, or
cephalexin.
antibiotics
For a bullet in the head, on the way to get help, raise the head a
little with folded blankets or pillows. Cover the wound with a clean
bandage.
If there is any chance that the bullet hit a bone, the bone may be
cracked or broken through. Splint the limb and do not use it for
several weeks.
Cracked bone
Broken bone
## Fish hooks
Push the hook through the skin so it pokes out the other side.
Push through
Happy helping ☃ here: You tried to output a spurious TAB character. This will…
Cut off barb
Pull the rest of the hook out.
Pull out
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