How to treat a head wound caused by rusty metal?

Question

Hello doctor,

My friend sustained a 3-inch diameter head wound from a rusty metal while playing basketball. The injury occurred recently when he ran outside the court to catch the ball and hit his upper head. The wound is bleeding and painful. Aside from vaccination, what wound care should be done? Please help.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Your friend’s wound needs proper cleaning and care to prevent infection. Since it is a head wound caused by rusty metal, tetanus vaccination is important. Here are the immediate wound care steps you can follow:

Stop the bleeding:

Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply gentle but firm pressure on the wound until bleeding slows or stops.

Clean the wound properly:

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the wound.
Rinse the wound with clean running water (preferably sterile saline or boiled and cooled water) to remove debris.
Clean around the wound with mild soap, but avoid getting soap inside the wound.

Disinfect the wound:

Apply Povidone-iodine (Betadine) or Hydrogen peroxide to help kill bacteria.
If available, apply an antibiotic ointment (for example, Mupirocin, Bacitracin) to prevent infection.

Cover the wound:

Use a sterile gauze pad and secure it with medical tape or a bandage.
Change the dressing at least once a day or when it becomes dirty or wet.

Monitor for infection:

Watch for these signs of infection:

Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound.
Persistent or worsening pain.
Pus or foul-smelling discharge.
Fever.

If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately.

Pain management:

Your friend can take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to relieve pain if no allergies exist. Kindly consult your doctor and take medicines accordingly.

When to seek medical attention:

If the wound is deep or gaping, it may need stitches.
If there is persistent bleeding despite applying pressure for 10 to 15 minutes.
If your friend experiences dizziness, nausea, or confusion (signs of possible head trauma).
If it has been more than five years since their last tetanus shot or if they have never had one, they may need a tetanus toxoid (TT) and tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) injection.

Where to go for medical help:

Health centers provide free first aid and tetanus shots.
Public hospitals and regional medical centers can assist if the wound is severe.
Private clinics and hospitals for faster medical attention.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.