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Injuries or wounds to the skin are known as skin trauma when they are caused by external forces. Skin trauma can occur when any number of factors injures the skin. Common examples of skin trauma include:

• Cuts
• Scratches
• Abrasions
• Puncture wounds
• Burns
• Bruises
• Bite wounds

Although many cases of skin trauma are minor and heal quickly on their own, some wounds can lead to further complications, such as extensive blood loss, infection or injury to deeper structures (e.g., nerves, tendons, blood vessels). Proper first aid care, however, can often prevent such complications.

More serious wounds, such as those with jagged edges or edges that gape open, may require further treatment. In order to heal properly, these types of wounds often need to be sewn shut by a physician (stitches). For smaller wounds, a skin adhesive may be used to “glue” the edges of the wound together.

In some cases, patients may also require a tetanus shot. Tetanus is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus vaccines are standard among children, with a booster given around age 12. After that, boosters are recommended every 10 years for adults. Whether a person requires the tetanus shot after an injury depends on the characteristics of the wound (e.g., dirty, clean, deep), as well as the timing of the individual's last shot. The tetanus booster should be given within 48 hours of the injury.