Yes and no.
While it’s important to perform first aid on a fresh puncture wound, and this may very well be sufficient for minor cases, we still strongly recommend you see a specialist very soon after sustaining the trauma. These injuries can be deceptive—you may not be able to easily tell right away just how deep the object penetrated or how much damage it caused, or if any contaminants remain in the wound. Furthermore, stepping on an “unclean” sharp object (like a rusty nail) can significantly increase your risk of developing a nasty infection.
We recommend you first stop the bleeding, remove any obvious large objects, clean out the whole area with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and bandage. Then, get on the phone and call Family Foot and Ankle Center at (513) 728-4800 or (859) 282-1572, or request an appointment online. The sooner you receive expert care, the less likely painful complications will follow.
