Signs that a wound is not healing properly and may be infected include feeling warm to the touch, swelling, discharge or pus, long lasting pain, or fever.
It's normal for the area to be red right after the injury took place. This is because red blood cells are being sent there to supply oxygen and other nutrients. However, persistent redness and swelling after five days could indicate an infected wound.
Wound infections occur when germs and bacteria get inside the wound and grow within the damaged skin. When a wound has become infected, you may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections can cause symptoms such as nausea, chills, and fever.
While some minor wound infections can heal on their own, untreated infected wounds can leave a scar, at best, or lead to more serious complications — including death — at worst.
Signs of a wound infection
The skin around your wound is red or sore, or feels hot and swollen. Your wound has liquid (often green or yellow pus) coming out of it. Your wound opens. You feel generally unwell or have a temperature (fever).
The following are signs you have a serious infection: Severe headache. Constant vomiting. Bloodstained vomit, stool, or urine.
A little redness and clear or slightly yellow drainage are normal traits for your cut to have. Signs to look out for that may mean your cut is infected include: Increased or darkening redness. More pus or fluid leaking out of the wound.
Antibiotics are used to treat most wound infections. Sometimes, you also may need surgery to treat the infection. You may be started on antibiotics to treat the surgical wound infection. The length of time you will need to take the antibiotics varies, but will typically be for at least 1 week.
It shows signs of infection
Whether it's a surgical wound or one that seemed minor at first but is getting worse instead of better, any wound that's infected should be evaluated by a medical provider. Signs a wound may be infected include: Increasing pain or redness. Drainage or bleeding that won't stop.
Indicators of wound infection include redness, swelling, purulent exudate, smell, pain, and systemic illness in the absence of other foci. Subtle signs of local wound infection include unhealthy “foamy” granulation tissue, contact bleeding, tissue breakdown, and epithelial bridging.
A wound should be covered using a clean bandage. Before placing the bandage on your skin, apply a thin layer of topical antibiotic ointment over the wound.
Wound bed. Healthy granulation tissue is pink in colour and is an indicator of healing. Unhealthy granulation is dark red in colour, often bleeds on contact, and may indicate the presence of wound infection.
How are infections treated? Treatment depends on the type of infection you have, and how serious it is. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral antibiotics to help fight bacteria. Your provider may also clean the wound with an antibiotic solution or apply an antibiotic ointment.
Viral infections can vary a lot in how long they last, for instance: Respiratory infections can last a few days to two weeks. A wart on your skin can last for a year or longer. Hepatitis B and C can cause chronic infections that last for years.
When germs get into a person's body, they can cause an infection. If you don't stop that infection, it can cause sepsis. Bacterial infections cause most cases of sepsis. Sepsis can also be a result of other infections, including viral infections, such as COVID-19 or influenza, or fungal infections.
Pain or swelling is increasing 48 hours after the wound occurred. Swollen Node. The lymph node draining that area of skin may become large and tender. Fever.
As the wound begins to dry, a crust starts to form in the outer layer. If the crust is yellowish and if there is a formation of pimples on or near the wound, it could be septic. Sores that look like blisters. If there is a formation of sores which look like pockets of fluid around the area, they could be septic.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if:
A wound is a result of a puncture by a dirty object; The wound is infected (pain and soreness, swelling, redness, draining, or you develop a fever);
Minor wound infections can be treated with over-the-counter topical antibiotics, such as NEOSPORIN® Original Ointment. Severe wounds will need to be seen by a doctor.
More Pain: Normally, the pain subsides a few days after an injury or wound. Long-lasting or elevated pain even after a few days is a symptom of an infected site. More Swelling: Similar to redness around the wound, swelling in the affected area indicates that the body's immune system is working.