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Puncture Wound

The skin is punctured by a pointed narrow object (wood splinter, fishhook, glass sliver, needle or skewer)

Metal: nail, sewing needle, pin, tack
Pencil: a pencil lead is actually graphite (harmless). It is not poisonous lead. Even colored leads are not toxic.
Wood: toothpick or splinter
Glass
Plant Matter: thorns from garden bushes or spines from houseplants, such as cactus

Retained Foreign Object. This happens if part of the object breaks off in the skin. The pain will not go away until it is removed. It can be hard to tell if this has happened. If you are not sure, contact your doctor.
Wound Infection. This happens in 4% of foot punctures. The main symptom is spreading redness seen 2 or 3 days after the injury. Do not ignore.
Bone Infection. If the sharp object also hits a bone, the bone can become infected. Punctures of the ball of the foot are at greatest risk. The main symptoms are increased swelling and pain 2 weeks after the injury. Contact your doctor right away.

When to Call for Puncture Wound
Call 911 Now Deep puncture on the head, neck, chest, back, or stomach or genital area Passed out or are feeling light-headed, dizzy or faint You have become breathless You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Puncture into a joint Feels like something is still in the wound Can't stand, put weight on the injury or walk Needlestick from used needle (may have been exposed to another person's blood) Sharp object and the setting was dirty (such as parking lot or dirty water) Dirt in the wound is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing Severe or increasing pain Wound looks infected (spreading redness or red streaks) Weak immune system. Examples are: diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, kidney problems. Fever or chills; feeling hot or shivery No past tetanus shots You think you have a serious injury You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Minor puncture wound

Puncture into a joint
Feels like something is still in the wound
Can't stand, put weight on the injury or walk
Needlestick from used needle (may have been exposed to another person's blood)
Sharp object and the setting was dirty (such as parking lot or dirty water)
Dirt in the wound is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing
Severe or increasing pain
Wound looks infected (spreading redness or red streaks)
Weak immune system. Examples are: diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, kidney problems.
Fever or chills; feeling hot or shivery
No past tetanus shots
You think you have a serious injury
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

First wash the punctured skin with soap and water.
Then soak the puncture wound in warm soapy water for 15 minutes.
For any dirt or debris, gently scrub the wound surface back and forth. Use a wash cloth to remove any dirt.
If the wound re-bleeds a little, that may help remove germs.

To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.