Is it normal for your foot to hurt after stepping on a nail?
Puncture wounds cause swelling and pain at the wound site. Pain is increased by walking on the foot. Swelling and pain usually decrease each day after the injury occurs. Although a puncture wound of the foot does not seem serious, be aware that a serious infection occasionally results from this type of injury.
How long does pain from puncture wound last?
What to Expect: Puncture wounds seal over in 1 to 2 hours. Pain should go away within 2 days.
What to watch for after stepping on a nail?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
- The puncture wound is large or deep, even if it’s not bleeding a lot.
- The nail that caused the puncture wound is rusty.
- The nail is stuck in your foot (do not remove it yourself).
- The wound looks infected, such as warmth and redness, swelling, a red streak, or pus in the area.
How do you make your feet feel better after stepping on a nail?
Flush the wound with clean water and soap as soon as possible for 5–10 minutes. If there is debris in the wound, disinfect some tweezers with rubbing alcohol and use them to remove as much as possible. Apply antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, or both to the wound area if available. Dress the wound with a clean bandage.
How long does it take for a puncture wound to get infected?
Avoiding Complications A minor skin infection may develop two to five days after injury. The signs of a minor infection that show up around the wound include soreness, redness and possibly drainage, swelling and warmth. You may also develop a fever.
How do you know if a puncture wound is infected?
See a doctor if the wound isn’t healing or you notice any increasing pain, pus, swelling or fever. On light skin, spreading redness is a sign of infection. On dark skin, redness may not be apparent, or the infection’s streaks may look purplish-gray or darker than your normal skin.
How do you treat stepping on a nail?
Prompt treatment after a nail puncture can speed the healing process and prevent an infection:
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands before caring for any type of wound.
- Stop the bleeding. Some nail punctures bleed, some don’t.
- Clean your wound.
- Apply antibiotic cream.
- Cover your wound.
Is it normal for a puncture wound to swell?
Watch for signs of infection. See a doctor if the wound isn’t healing or you notice any increasing pain, pus, swelling or fever. On light skin, spreading redness is a sign of infection. On dark skin, redness may not be apparent, or the infection’s streaks may look purplish-gray or darker than your normal skin.