A wound is an injury that has broken the skin or other body tissue. Wounds may be broken skin, open, expose body tissue, or cause damage to the tissue under the skin which is closed. Almost everyone will at one point in their lifetime experience an open wound; however, the difference will be the severity which it will range and it will depend on the type of wound experienced: - Penetrating wounds Puncture wounds Surgical incisions and wounds Thermal, electric, or chemical burns Bites and stings Gunshot wounds High-velocity projectiles that penetrate the body - Blunt force trauma Lacerations Abrasions Skin tears Other major types of closed wounds include: - Contusions Known to be caused by blunt trauma which causes pressure damage to the underlying tissue and/or skin - Blisters - Seroma Known as a fluid-filled area that develops within the tissue, or underneath the skin - Hematoma Known as a blood-filled area that develops within the tissue, or underneath the skin - Crush injuries - Ulcers Ulcers are the final type of wound that can occur, there are four main types of ulcers that can be caused including: Arterial Ulcers & Venous Ulcers These vascular wounds are often caused by issues within the circulatory system Neuropathic Ulcers These ulcers can be painless, this is due to them arising from minor traumas which often go unnoticed because of the loss of sensation, which is known as peripheral neuropathy. Pressure Ulcers These injuries are caused to the skin as well as the underlying tissue and are caused primarily due to prolonged pressure on the skin.