Haavand

Haavand is the term used to describe a wound: a breach of the skin or mucous membranes caused by trauma or medical procedures, often accompanied by tissue damage and bleeding. Wounds vary in size, depth and contamination and can affect underlying tissues beyond the skin, including nerves, vessels, and muscles.

Wounds are commonly categorized by mechanism and characteristics. Mechanisms include incised wounds (clean cuts), lacerations (blunt tearing), puncture wounds, abrasions, avulsions, and crush injuries, as well as surgical wounds. Contamination levels range from clean to contaminated or infected, which influences treatment decisions.

Pathophysiology and healing proceed in stages: hemostasis to stop bleeding, followed by inflammation to clear debris and fight infection, then proliferation with tissue formation and epithelialization, and remodeling over weeks to months. Healing is influenced by wound size, location, blood supply, infection, nutrition, age and comorbidities such as diabetes or vascular disease.

Management and first aid emphasize prompt, appropriate care. Immediate steps include applying direct pressure to control bleeding, removing any large foreign objects only if easily removable, cleaning with clean water, and covering the wound with a sterile dressing. Medical evaluation is advised for deep, bleeding, heavily contaminated, or facial wounds, and for signs of infection or impaired healing. Tetanus status should be reviewed. Closure (stitches, staples, or adhesive) is considered based on wound type and contamination; antibiotics are not routine but may be used for high-risk wounds or bites. Proper wound care, wound monitoring, and addressing risk factors support optimal healing and minimize complications such as infection or scarring.