A wound is a break or opening in the skin. Your skin protects your body from germs. When the skin is broken, even during surgery, germs can enter and cause infection. Wounds often occur because of an accident or injury. Show
Types of wounds include:
A wound may be smooth or jagged. It may be near the surface of the skin or deeper. Deep wounds can affect:
Minor wounds often heal easily, but all wounds need care to prevent infection. Stages of Wound HealingWounds heal in stages. The smaller the wound, the quicker it will heal. The larger or deeper the wound, the longer it takes to heal. When you get a cut, scrape, or puncture, the wound will bleed.
Not all wounds bleed. For example, burns, some puncture wounds, and pressure sores do not bleed. Once the scab forms, your body's immune system starts to protect the wound from infection.
Tissue growth and rebuilding occur next.
A scar forms and the wound becomes stronger.
Some people are more likely to scar than others. Some may have thick, unsightly scars called keloids. People with darker complexions are more likely to have keloids form. Taking Care of Your WoundProperly caring for your wound means keeping it clean and covered. This can help prevent infections and scarring.
OutlookWhen cared for properly, most wounds heal well, leaving only a small scar or none at all. With larger wounds, you are more likely to have a scar. Certain factors can prevent wounds from healing or slow the process, such as:
Wounds that are slow to heal may need extra care from your provider. When to Call the DoctorCall your provider right away if you have:
Alternative NamesHow cuts heal; How scrapes heal; How puncture wounds heal; How burns heal; How pressure sores heal; How lacerations heal ReferencesBoukovalas S, Aliano KA, Leong M, Murphy KD, Phillips LG, Norbury WB. Wound healing. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 6. Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Aebersold M, Gonzalez L. Wound care and dressings. In: Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Aebersold M, Gonzalez L, eds. Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills. 9th ed. New York, NY: Pearson; 2017:chap 25. Review Date 4/20/2022Updated by: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. How does the skin repair itself when the epidermis is slightly injured?Active cells,called fibroblasts, produce collagenous fibers and ground substance. Blood vessels soon grow into the dermis, restoring circulation. If the injury is very minor, the epithelial cells eventually restore the epidermis once the dermis has been regenerated.
How does epidermis regenerate itself?The epidermis constantly renews itself: New cells are made in the lower layers of the epidermis. These move to the surface within four weeks. This constant renewal serves to replace the cells that are lost and fall to the ground as tiny flakes of skin when the skin is rubbed.
How does skin respond to injury and repair itself?When skin is injured, immune cells rush to the site to remove debris, invading pathogens, and dead and damaged skin cells. A blood clot forms over the area, forming a protective scab. Skin cells manufacture new collagen and connective tissue to fill in the wound.
How does a wound heal in the epidermis?Keratinocytes—epidermal epithelial cells—around the wound site migrate across the wound and close it. Additionally, epidermal cells from dermal appendages, such as hair follicles, can contribute to wound closure. Since the dermis and underlying tissue have not been damaged very little remodelling is required.
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