Wound Infection

What is a wound infection?

A wound is any break in the skin. This includes a cut, a scrape, a stitched cut, a puncture, or a bite. The skin keeps germs out of the body. When the skin breaks open, germs can get in and cause an infection. Most "dirty" wounds that get infected do so within 1 to 3 days.

Some pink or red skin right at the edge of a wound is normal. It is also normal for a wound to be a little puffy for a few days. This happens more often with a stitched wound. A wound is likely infected when the redness spreads or the pain gets worse.

Some wounds need different care

The tips in this handout are for a small wound with mild redness. Some wounds need different care and should be checked by a healthcare provider:

• Animal or human bites. Bites can get infected very easily. They often need to be cleaned by a healthcare provider, and may need more treatment. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, not the general tips below.

• Surgery wounds, or wounds where a tube goes into the body. These come with their own care steps from the care team. This may include how to change the dressing and when it is safe to shower.

• Deep, large, or very dirty wounds, puncture wounds, or wounds on the face. These often need to be seen by a healthcare provider.

If you are not sure, call your CPCMG primary care provider before you start home care.

Signs of a wound infection

• Pus or cloudy fluid draining from the wound

• A pimple or yellow crust on the wound

• A soft scab that is getting bigger

• Redness around the wound that is spreading or getting worse

• A red streak spreading away from the wound

• The wound is very sore to touch

• Pain or swelling that gets worse more than 2 days after the injury

• A swollen, sore "gland" (lymph node) near the wound

• A fever (temperature above 100.4F)

• The wound has not healed within 10 days

• A bad smell coming from the wound

Home care for mild redness

Warm soaks or a warm wet cloth (helps early redness and healing):

• Open cuts or scrapes: Soak the wound in warm water, or hold a warm, wet cloth on it. Do this for 10 minutes, 3 times a day.

• Closed or stitched cuts: Put a heating pad or a warm, wet washcloth on the wound. Do this for 10 minutes, 3 times a day.

• For stitched wounds: Do not put anything wet on the wound for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, short showers are okay. Do not soak the wound until all stitches are out.

Antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin):

• You do not need a prescription.

• Put it on the wound 3 times a day.

• If the area may get dirty, cover it with a bandage.

• A caution about Neosporin: Neosporin has an ingredient called neomycin. Neomycin can cause a red, itchy skin rash (an allergy) in some people. A product like Polysporin, which does not have neomycin, is a safer choice. Stop the ointment and call your CPCMG primary care provider if the skin gets more red, itchy, or has a new rash after you use it.

Antibiotic by mouth:

• If the infection is more than mild, the healthcare provider may order an antibiotic to kill the germs.

• Give it as it was prescribed. Try not to miss any doses.

Pain:

• You can give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as needed for pain.

Fever:

• For a fever above 102°F (39°C), give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

• Lower fevers help the body fight the infection, so they do not always need to be treated.

• With any fever, give plenty of cool drinks so your child does not get dried out.

What to expect

• Pain and swelling are usually worst around day 2.

• On an antibiotic, the fever should be gone in 1 to 2 days. The redness should get better in about 3 days.

• The wound should be fully healed by about day 10.

• Do not pick or scratch scabs. This can slow healing and make the scar worse.

Going back to school

• For a true wound infection: your child can go back once the fever is gone and they have been on an antibiotic by mouth for at least 24 hours.

• For mild redness only: your child does not need to stay home.

When to get care right away

Call 911 now if your child:

• Is not moving, or is too weak to stand

• Seems to have a life-threatening emergency

Get care now if:

• A fever starts

• A red streak is spreading from the wound

• The redness around the wound is spreading

• There is bad pain in the wound

• Any wound on the face shows signs of infection

• Your child has never had a tetanus shot

• Your child looks or acts very sick

Call your primary care provider if:

• Pus or cloudy fluid is draining from the wound

• The wound is more sore 2 days after the injury

• The last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago

• The wound gets more painful

• The redness starts to spread

• A new fever or pus shows up

• Your child shows signs of being dehydrated

• You think your child needs to be seen, or your child is getting worse

Related information

If the redness around the wound is spreading into the skin nearby, it may be a skin infection called cellulitis. Learn more here: https://healthhub.cpcmg.net/docs/cellulitis