Are You Sick?

Wound Infection

Is this your symptom?

Signs of wound infection include pus, spreading redness, increased pain or swelling, and fever
A break in the skin (a wound) shows signs of infection
Most dirty wounds become infected 24 to 72 hours later

Symptoms of Wound Infections

Pus. Pus or cloudy fluid is draining from the wound.
Abscess. A collection of pus due to infection. Very painful and swollen. May come to a head and burst. Usually need surgery to drain the pus.
Pimple. A pimple or yellow crust has formed on the wound.
Soft Scab. The scab has increased in size.
Red Area. Increasing redness occurs around the wound.
Red Streak. A red streak is spreading from the wound toward the heart.
More Pain. The wound has become very tender.
More Swelling. 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. A fever occurs.
The wound hasn't healed within 10 days after the injury.

When to Call for Wound Infection

When to Call for Wound Infection
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Fever or chills, feeling hot, or shivery Increasing pain, swelling, or redness and/or red streaks running out from the wound Discharge from the wound Any face wound with signs of infection You have a weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems. No past tetanus shots You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Wound becoming more painful or tender Last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Pimple where a stitch (or staple) comes through the skin You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Mild redness of wound

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Fever or chills, feeling hot, or shivery
Increasing pain, swelling, or redness and/or red streaks running out from the wound
Discharge from the wound
Any face wound with signs of infection
You have a weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems.
No past tetanus shots
You feel weak or very sick
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Wound becoming more painful or tender
Last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Pimple where a stitch (or staple) comes through the skin
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Mild redness of wound

Care Advice for Mild Redness of Wound

What You Should Know About Normal Healing:
- Some pink or red skin on the edge of the wound is normal.
- It's more common if the wound is sutured.
- It's also normal for it to be swollen for a few days.
- Your wound is not infected unless the redness spreads, pain increases or the wound starts to discharge.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Warm Soaks or Warm Wet Cloth:
- For any redness or other signs of early infection, use heat.
- Open Cuts or Scrapes. Soak it in warm water, such as in the bath. You can also put a warm wet cloth on the wound. Do this for 10 minutes 3 times per day. Use a warm saltwater solution. You can make your own. Put 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of table salt in a quart (liter) of warm water.
- Closed or Sutured Cuts. Put a heating pad on the wound. You can also use a warm, moist washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes 3 times per day.
- Cautions for Sutured Wounds. Do not put anything wet on the wound for first 24 hours. After 24 hours, can take brief showers. Never soak the wound before all sutures are removed.
Antibiotic Ointment:
- Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin).
- No prescription is needed.
- Put it on the wound 3 times a day.
- If the area could become dirty, cover with a bandage.
Pain and Fever Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
- Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
- If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
What to Expect:
- Pain and swelling normally peak on day 2.
- Any redness should go away by day 4.
- Complete healing should occur by day 10.
Return to Work and Other Activities:
- For true wound infections, you can often return after the fever is gone, unless it will cause more problems with the wound. You may be taking an antibiotic by mouth for 24 hours.
- You may be unable to wear shoes if you have an infected wound on your foot.
- If your work involves getting your hands wet or handling food, you may have to stay off until the infection has gone and the wound is fully healed.
- For minor redness around the wound only, you do not need to stay home.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Wound becomes more painful
- Redness starts to spread
- Pus or fever occurs
- You think you need to be seen
- Your symptoms get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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