Checking if a wound is infected

Video: Wound Infection | NCLEX RN Review

Content

To step
Method 1 of 5: Check for pain, swelling, redness and warmth around the wound
Method 2 of 5: Check for pus and moisture
Method 3 of 5: Examining the lymph nodes
Method 4 of 5: Assess your temperature and overall feeling
Method 5 of 5: Treat a serious infection
Tips
Warnings

Everyone has a cut or scrape from time to time. Usually wounds heal without any problems. But if bacteria get into the wound, they can cause a dangerous infection. If you recognize an inflammation immediately, you can treat it faster and more effectively. Most infections are treated with antibiotics, depending on the severity of the inflammation. There are some important indications of an infection, such as redness, pus, and pain. Learn how to tell if a wound is infected and you can keep yourself healthy.

To step

Method 1 of 5: Check for pain, swelling, redness and warmth around the wound

Wash your hands first. Always wash your hands thoroughly before inspecting a wound. If you're concerned that a wound is infected, you can make it worse by touching it with your dirty fingers. Make sure to wash your hands well with antibacterial soap and water before doing anything.
- Don't forget to wash your hands after touching the wound as well.
Study the wound carefully. You must first remove any plasters or dressings from the wound. Do this carefully so you don't make the sensitive area worse. If the dressing sticks to the wound, you can loosen it with running water. The tap or shower head is fine to use for this.
- Once you take the dirty bandage off, you should throw it away. Never use a bandage or plaster again.
See if the wound is red or swollen is. When you look at the wound, you need to determine if it is very red or if it has grown thicker than it used to be. If the wound is very red and the redness is radiating to the skin around the wound, it could be a sign that it is inflamed.
- The skin around the wound may also feel warm. Contact your doctor if any of these symptoms are present.
Ask yourself if the pain has gotten worse. If you feel new or increasing pain, it could mean the wound is infected. Pain alone or in combination with other signs (such as swelling, warmth, and pus) may mean the wound is inflamed. If the pain gets worse, see your doctor. The pain may feel like it is coming from deep within the wound. In general, swelling, warmth and / or tenderness / pain are the best indications that the wound may be inflamed.
- You may feel a throbbing pain. Itching isn't necessarily a sign of infection, although you should try not to make the wound worse by scratching it. Fingernails are high in bacteria, and scratching will only make things worse.
Don't just put antibiotics on it. Research has not proven that antibiotic ointment is of much help with an infected wound. An infection that has spread is also present in the rest of your body, so treating the wound on your skin will not help against the bacteria in your body.
- Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic ointment if the wound is small and superficial.

Method 2 of 5: Check for pus and moisture

Look for yellow or green pus in the wound. This discharge can also smell foul. If you see pus or cloudy fluid coming out of the wound, it could mean you have an infection. Then go to the doctor as soon as possible.
- Some wound fluid is normal, as long as the fluid is thin and clear. Bacteria can also produce clear moisture, which is neither yellow nor green. In that case, your doctor may need to examine the fluid to determine the cause of the infection.
Watch for pus to collect around the wound. If you notice pus under the skin around the wound, you may also have an infection. Even if you don't see any pus, or if there is a soft, expanding bump under your skin that is not coming out, this could be a sign that the wound is inflamed, and you should take this seriously.
Change dirty bandages with a new sterile one after inspecting the wound. If there are no signs of infection, you can use this to cover and protect the wound. If there are signs of infection, you can use a sterile dressing to prevent further contamination until you see your doctor.
- Be careful and make sure that the non-sticky part of the plaster is over the wound. The plaster should be large enough to cover the entire wound easily.
Call the doctor if a lot of pus comes out of the wound. Some fluid from the wound is normal when your body is fighting an infection. But if the pus is yellow or green and is increasing (or not decreasing) in amount, you should see your doctor. This is especially true if other signs of infection are also present.

Method 3 of 5: Examining the lymph nodes

Check the skin around the wound for red streaks. Perhaps the red streaks radiate from where the wound is. Red streaks on the skin may indicate that the infection has spread through the system that drains fluids from tissue, also known as the lymph system.
- This type of inflammation (lymphangitis) can be dangerous and you should seek immediate medical attention if you see red streaks running from the wound, especially if you also have a fever.
Locate the lymph nodes closest to the injury. The closest lymph nodes to the arms are under your armpits; for the legs they are in the groin. For other areas of the body, they can be on either side of the neck, just below your chin and the jawbone on the right and left side.
- Bacteria are stored by these glands during inflammation. Sometimes you can also have an infection of the lymph system without showing red streaks on your skin.
Assess if you feel abnormal things in your lymph nodes. Gently press your lymph nodes with 2 or 3 fingers and feel if they are thick or tender. A relatively easy way to check for abnormalities is to feel with both hands on both sides at the same time. Both sides should feel roughly the same and symmetrical if they are healthy.
Feel if the lymph nodes are swollen or tender. If you feel they are swollen or painful, it could be a sign that there is inflammation, even if you don't see any red streaks. Your lymph nodes are normally about 1 cm thick and you shouldn't really feel them. They can swell up to two or three times their size, and then you can feel them clearly.
- Swollen lymph nodes that are tender and move easily are usually a sign of infection.
- Hard lymph nodes that do not move, hurt, or last for more than 1-2 weeks should be examined by a doctor.

Method 4 of 5: Assess your temperature and overall feeling

Take your temperature. In addition to symptoms around the wound, you can also have a fever. A temperature higher than 38ºC can mean that the wound is infected. See your doctor if the fever is accompanied by any of the signs of infection listed above.
See if you feel unwell in general. It can also be a sign of infection if you are just not feeling well. If you have a wound and you don't feel well a few days later, it could be because of it. Take another look at your wound for signs of inflammation and contact your doctor if you continue to feel unwell.
- If you experience a headache, muscle pain, dizziness or nausea, or even vomit, you may have inflammation. A sudden rash can also be a reason to call your doctor.
Notice if you are dehydrated. Dehydration can also be an indication of an inflamed wound. Major features of dehydration include having to urinate less, having a dry mouth, deep-set eyes and dark urine. If you experience these symptoms, pay close attention to your wound and see if you see any other signs of infection, then contact your doctor.
- Since your body has to fight an infection, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Method 5 of 5: Treat a serious infection

Recognize the types of wounds that usually become infected. While most wounds heal without any problems, a variety of factors can cause certain wounds to become inflamed more quickly. Wounds that are not properly cleaned or cared for are more likely to become infected, as are wounds in areas where bacteria can easily enter, such as on the feet. If the wound was caused by a bite from an animal or another person, they can also become inflamed more quickly.
- Bite wounds, wounds from dirty objects such as dirty knives, nails or tools, stab wounds and crush injuries are also more likely to become infected than other wounds.
- If you've been bitten, see your doctor as you run the risk of rabies or tetanus. You may need antibiotics or a rabies and / or tetanus shot.
- Most wounds heal without infection because the body's natural defense system has evolved to protect itself.
Understand that certain risk factors increase the likelihood of infection. Wounds are more likely to become infected if someone has a weakened immune system, such as with diabetes, HIV, malnutrition or drug use. Bacteria, viruses and fungi, which normally do not pose a problem for the immune system, can now enter the body and multiply.This is especially the case with 2nd and 3rd degree burns, when the skin that normally protects the body has been damaged to a large extent.
Recognize the signs of a serious infection. You may have a fever and feel dizzy. Your heart can beat faster than normal. The wound will be warm, red, swollen, and painful. You may smell a foul odor, as if something is rotting or decaying. All of these symptoms can manifest as mild or particularly severe; but if you have several of them, you should see a doctor.
- Do not drive if you feel dizzy and feverish. If possible, have a friend or family member drive you to the hospital. You may need strong antibiotics to fight this infection.
- When in doubt, get yourself checked. In the case of an infection, it is not enough to judge it yourself as much as possible with the help of the internet. A correct medical diagnosis is the best way to know for sure.
Get examined by a doctor. If you have a medical condition and think a wound may be infected, it is important to call your doctor. This is especially important if you also have other medical conditions, or if you have any of the risk factors for an infection.
Consider taking antibiotics or NSAIDs. Antibiotics can fight or prevent a bacterial infection, and they can be the most powerful way to stop wandering inflammation. NSAIDs will help your body to recover from swelling, pain and fever. NSAIDs can be bought over the counter at drugstores, but powerful antibiotics require a prescription.
- Avoid NSAIDs if you are on blood thinners. These drugs can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure in some people. Ask your doctor!

Tips

Provide good light. You can see signs of infections more easily in a well-lit room.
If you're not going to see signs of healing, such as a scab, you may have inflammation. Then go to the doctor. Also see a doctor if the wound gets worse.
If pus is constantly coming out of the wound, clean it right away and see a doctor.