What are the types of wounds?

Answer 1

There are 5 basic types of wound;

Incision

The skin is cut by a sharp object, usually a knife or razor. This type of wound may be deep, but will usually heal quickly.

Laceration

This type of wound is caused by a jagged edge, the skin has been torn, rather than cut. A lacerated wound will take longer than an incised to heal and leave a scar.

Abrasion

Abrasions are caused by contact with a rough surface, the skin has been ground away. The wound is shallow, but the area damaged can be extensive. These wounds have the highest risk of contamination by foreign material and objects. Thus requiring extensive cleaning before dressing.

Contusion

Also commonly referred to as bruising, although the outer layer of skin may appear undamaged, there may have been extensive damage to underlying structures. Blood accumulates under the skin causing localised swelling.

Puncture

Caused by sharp pointed objects. These wounds appear very small, however they are deep. Frequently structures that lie deep beneath the surface have been damaged.

Answer 2

There are many ways of classify wounds. Depending on the healing time of a wound, it can be classified as acute or chronic. Wounds can be open or closed.
Another way to classify wounds is to determine if the wound is clean or contaminated.Or they may be non-penetrating wounds (skin deep) or penetrating wounds (into the lower layers or into the organs. They can be classified as to how they occurred: thermal wounds (burns), chemical wounds, bites and stings or electrical wounds. Thermal wounds, chemical wounds, and electrical wounds all have similar appearances.