Fishhook Removed

Home care

Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to care for your wound. These will depend on where the wound is and how serious it is. The following may help you care for your wound at home:

• Keep the injured part elevated during the first 2 days. This will help reduce swelling and pain.

• Keep the wound clean and dry. If a bandage was applied and it becomes wet or dirty, replace it. Otherwise, leave it in place for the first 24 hours.

• Shower as usual, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

• Don't soak in a tub or go swimming for at least 1 week or as instructed by your healthcare provider.

• Don't soak the injured area unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, or ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding, talk with your healthcare provider before using these medicines.

Follow-up care

Most puncture wounds heal within 10 days. But an infection may sometimes occur despite correct treatment. Check the wound daily for the warning signs listed below.

If stitches were used, they should be removed within 7 to 10 days. If a tape closure was used, remove them after 5 days, unless told otherwise.

If any X-rays were taken, a radiologist will look at them. You will be told if new findings may affect your care.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider if any of these occur:

• Increasing pain in the wound

• Redness, swelling, or pus coming from the wound

• Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider