Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Cuts and scratches are unavoidable in everyday life. Usually, they will be able to heal on their own easily. But sometimes, it can be dangerous when bacteria get into the wound and cause an infection. Recognizing early signs of infection can help make the treatment faster and more effective. Almost any infection can be treated with antibiotics, however, this depends on the severity of the infection you are having. Some of the main signs of infection include redness, discharge, and persistent pain. Learning how to recognize infected wounds is an important part of staying healthy.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Check for Increases in Pain, Swelling, Redness and Ambient Temperature

1. 

   
   
   First, wash your hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly before you start examining your wound. If you are concerned about an infection, touching it with dirty hands will make the wound worse. Wash your hands well with antibacterial soap and water before attempting any action on your wound.
   • Remember to wash your hands after touching the wound.

2. 

   
   
   Examine the wound carefully. You need to remove the bandage from the wound. Remember to be careful not to make the situation worse in this sensitive area. If the bandage is sticking to the wound, you can remove it with water. The sink taps can be quite useful in this situation.
   • Once you have removed the dirty bandage from the wound, you should either remove it or throw it in the trash. Never reuse a dressing that has been soiled.

3. 

   
   
   Check for any swelling or redness in the wound. As you look at the wound, think about whether it will be red or just a little redder than usual. If your wound is quite red and the redness appears to be spreading to the area around the wound, this is a sign of infection.
   • The skin around the wound may also become warmer than usual. If you notice these symptoms, see your doctor.

4. 

   Determine if the pain is getting worse. The appearance of new pain or increasing pain levels are symptoms of an infected wound. Feeling pain or pain with other signs (such as redness, burning, and pus) may be a sign of infection. If you feel the pain is causing you more and more pain, seek medical attention. You may feel like pain comes from deep inside the wound. In general, swelling, burning / warming and pain / soreness in the injured area are the early signs that your wound may be infected.
   • You may feel a throbbing pain. Itching is not necessarily a sign of infection, however, do not touch the wound excessively. Nails can contain a lot of bacteria and scratching can make the wound worse.

5. 

   Do not apply antibiotics unless directed to do so by your doctor. Scientists have not yet conducted a specific study to prove that topical antibiotics can have a significant effect on infected wounds. The widespread infection means it has also entered your body, so getting skin treatment after it appears will not help kill the bacteria in your body.
   • Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for you if the infection is minor and is only on the surface of the skin.
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Method 2 of 5: Check for Pus and Fluid Appearance

1. 

   Check for pus or a yellow or greenish liquid. They can also smell bad. If you notice a yellow or green discharge of pus and a cloudy discharge, this is the most obvious sign that your wound is infected. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
   • In some cases, discharge is just a normal reaction, as long as the fluid is quite liquid and clear. Bacteria can make a clear, not yellow or green, discharge. In this case, your doctor will conduct tests to determine the specific cause of the infection.

2. 

   Watch for signs of pus accumulation around the wound. If you notice pus forming underneath your skin, around the injured area, you may have an infection. Even if you notice a pus, or soreness, lumps that appear underneath your skin, but they don't drain at all, they can still be a sign of infection and you need to attention pay more attention.

3. 

   After completing the examination of the wound, replace the old bandage with a new sterile dressing. If your wound shows no signs of infection, a bandage will help shield and protect the wound. If you notice signs of infection, a sterile band-aid will help protect the wound from getting worse until you can see a doctor.
   • The non-stick part of the dressing must be placed in place of the wound. The bandage should be large enough to easily cover the wound.

4. 

   If the wound continues to drain, see your doctor. Drainage can be a normal response when the body is trying to fight the infection. However, if the pus is yellow or green and is getting worse (or shows no signs of improvement), you should see your doctor. This is especially important if you also notice many of the signs of infection as discussed earlier. advertisement

Method 3 of 5: Check for Infection of the Lymphatic System

1. 

   Check for the appearance of red streaks or swelling in the skin around the wound. You may notice lingering red streaks coming from the wound side. This may be a sign that the infection has spread to the system that removes fluid from the tissues, called the lymphatic system.
   • This inflammatory condition (called lymphadenitis) can be quite dangerous and you will need prompt medical attention when you notice the appearance of red streaks extending from the site of the wound, thick especially if you have a fever.

2. 

   Determine the location of the lymph node (gland) closest to the wound. The lymph nodes closest to the arm will be around the lower arm area; for the legs, it is around the groin area. For other parts of the body, the closest lymph nodes will be on either side of the neck, just below the chin and left and right jaws.
   • The bacteria get stuck in these glands while the body is working on an immune process. Occasionally, you may develop lymphadenitis without even realizing red streaks on your skin.

3. 

   Check for abnormalities of the lymph nodes. Use 2 or 3 fingers to apply slight pressure and palpation to look for any enlarged lymph nodes, which may be accompanied by soreness. The easiest way to check it is to use your hands to feel the ganglia at the same time. Both lymph nodes need to be similar and symmetrical to be a sign of good health.

4. 

   Feel the swelling or soreness of some of the lymph nodes. If you can feel the swelling or soreness, this could be a sign of the infection spreading, even if you don't notice red streaks on your skin. Lymph nodes are only about 1 cm large and therefore, you will not be able to feel them. They can swell to two or three times their usual size, and at this point you should be able to clearly locate them.
   • Lymph nodes that are swollen, soft, and easily moved around are often signs of infection.
   • Lymph nodes that are hard, unable to move, cause pain, or last longer than a week or two need to be examined by a doctor.
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Method 4 of 5: Check Your Body Temperature and Feeling

1. 

   Measure body temperature. In addition to symptoms occurring in the injured area, you may also have a fever. A temperature higher than 38 ºC could indicate an infection. You should go to the hospital if you have a fever with one or more of the same signs of infection as listed in the previous section of this article.

2. 

   Check to see if you often feel unwell. Another sign of an infection may be similar to when you are sick (or feel difficult). If you've been injured and recently started feeling sick, they may be correlated. Check the wound again for signs of infection and if you continue to feel unwell, see your doctor.
   • If you experience body pain, headache, dizziness, nausea, or even vomiting, you may have an infection. A new rash will be another obvious reason to know you need to see your doctor.

3. 

   Pay attention to dehydration of the body. Dehydration can also be a sign of an infected wound. One of the main symptoms of dehydration include low urination, dry mouth, sunken eyes, and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should pay more attention to your wound, examine it closely for other signs of infection, and seek medical attention.
   • Since your body is fighting off bacteria, you need to drink plenty of water to provide your body with the necessary amount of water.
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Method 5 of 5: Coping with a Serious Infection

1. 

   Be aware of the types of wounds that are susceptible to infection. Almost any wound has the ability to heal itself. However, the wound that is not properly cleaned and treated can easily become infected. Cuts on feet, hands, and other locations where bacteria are frequently exposed are most susceptible. Animal or human bites and scratches can also be easily infected.
   • Pay special attention to bites, stab wounds, and pressure injuries. Be careful of wounds coming from unhygienic objects such as: hard knives, rusty nails, or dirty tools.
   • If you have been bitten by a dog, consult your doctor about your risk of getting rabies or tetanus. You will likely need to take antibiotics or get a tetanus shot.
   • If you are healthy and your immune system is quite good, most wounds will heal on their own and you will have less risk of infection. Your immune system has been developed enough to prevent the occurrence of an infection.

2. 

   Understand your risk factors for infection. If your immune system is compromised by a medical condition such as diabetes, HIV, or malnutrition, your risk of infection is high. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi that usually don't mess with the immune system can enter the body and multiply in numbers to the point of dizziness. This is especially true for second and third degree burn injuries, where the skin - the body's first defense - has been severely damaged.

3. 

   Know if you have a serious infection. You may have a fever or dizziness. Your heart may beat faster than usual. The wound becomes hot, red, painful, and painful. Your wound may also smell like something is rotting or decomposing. All of these symptoms can be mild or severe - but if you are experiencing quite a few symptoms, you will need medical treatment.
   • Do not drive while you are dizzy and have a fever. If possible, ask a friend or relative to take you to the hospital. You will likely have to take strong antibiotics to help stabilize your body.
   • When in doubt, check. As for the infection, you will not be able to fully diagnose it through information on the Internet. A medical diagnosis is the best way to confirm it with certainty.

4. 

   Seek medical attention. If you believe your wound is infected, go to the hospital or contact an emergency doctor. This is especially important if you have another medical condition, or risk factor for infection.

5. 

   Consider antibiotics and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Antibiotics can help fight or prevent bacterial infections, and they may be the most effective way to get rid of inflammation. NSAIDs help your body recover from swelling, pain, and fever. You can find over-the-counter NSAIDs, but the most effective antibiotics will usually require a prescription from your doctor.
   • Do not take NSAIDs if you are taking blood thinners. Be aware that these medications can cause stomach ulcers or kidney failure in some people. Please consult your doctor!
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Advice

• Provide enough light. You will easily see the signs of infection in a room with lots of light.
• If you don't see signs of healing, such as scabs, you may have an infection. See your doctor. You should also see a doctor if the injury is getting worse.
• If the wound doesn't stop draining pus, be sure to remove the pus as soon as you see it and if this continues, seek medical attention.

Warning

• Infection can lead to more serious health problems, so if you are unsure of the inflammation of the wound, you should see your doctor or health care professional.