With fall weather comes fall décor and for many, that may involve pumpkin art in the form of jack-o’-lanterns. Though the activity can be fun and creative, it can also be dangerous for those who aren’t careful using sharp knives.
Cuts and lacerations, nerve damage or severed tendons can occur while pumpkin carving, especially if a sharp knife were to slip while gripping the knife and the pumpkin. An injury from pumpkin carving can easily ruin the Halloween season for a family. Injuries can lead to surgeries and months in therapy.
Most of the time, injured patients handle a knife without being careful and end up stabbing themselves with their hands. Injuries especially occur when patients use the hand not holding the knife to keep the pumpkin stable or when they try to carve the pumpkin on their knees to stabilize it. Pumpkin carving injuries most often occur in the palm of the hand, but they can also occur in tendons or arteries in people’s fingers, especially due to the narrow space between the skin and the tendons and arteries.
To be safe, choose to paint a pumpkin instead of carving it, especially when working with younger children. You can paint cool, attention-grabbing designs on your pumpkin to be in the Halloween spirit.
If you are still set on carving a pumpkin, use a plastic pumpkin carving kit instead of a sharp kitchen knife. Also, keep your carving area clean and stay focused on what you’re doing. Many pumpkin carving injuries happen in a fraction of a second due to getting distracted.
If you or a loved one gets injured from carving a pumpkin, dial 911 immediately or visit a UofL Health – Emergency Department.
UofL Health – Kleinert Kutz Hand Care is at the forefront of pioneering treatments and comprehensive care for various hand and arm conditions. Our dedicated team of specialists includes world-renowned hand surgeons, therapists and support staff committed to delivering the highest level of care. To schedule an appointment with Kleinert Kutz Hand Care, call 502-561-4263.
