Wounds and Injuries: Types and When to Get Care

Injuries

An injury is damage to your body, from accidents, falls, blows, weapons and more. Millions of Americans are injured every year, from minor to life-threatening — at work or play, indoors or out, driving or crossing the street.

Wounds

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other tissues:

• cuts
• scrapes
• scratches
• punctures

Most come from accidents, but surgery, sutures and stitches make wounds too.

Caring for a wound

• Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but clean them.
• Serious or infected wounds may need first aid, then a doctor.

See a doctor if the wound:

• is deep;
• won't close on its own;
• keeps bleeding or you can't get the dirt out;
• doesn't heal.

Other common injuries

• animal bites
• bruises
• burns
• dislocations
• electrical injuries
• fractures (broken bones)
• sprains and strains

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Wounds and Injuries," National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.