A wound infection occurs when germs such as bacteria gain access to and grow within the damaged skin of a wound. Symptoms can include increasing pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections may cause nausea, chills, or fever.

A person may be able to treat minor wound infections at home. However, people with more severe or persistent wound infections should seek medical attention.

This article describes preventing, recognizing, and treating an infected wound. It also covers risk factors, complications, when to see a doctor, and medical treatment.

How to recognize an infected wound?

An infected wound usually gets worse instead of better. Any pain, redness, and swelling will typically increase in intensity.

Redness around the wound is widerTrusted Source than a person’s thumb, which may also indicate an infection.

Wound infections can also lead to other symptoms, such as:

warm skin cipro 1000mg cheap around the wound
yellow or green discharge plaquenil 400mg usa coming from the wound
the wound giving off an unpleasant odor
red streaks on the skin around the wound
fever and chills
aches and pains
nausea and vomiting
What causes an infected wound?
Wounds become infected when bacteria enter and colonize the cut or wound. Common bacteria that may cause a wound infection include:

Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Escherichia coli (E. Coli).
Proteus mirabilis
Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus
Streptococcus
Prevention
People with a small infected wound may be able to treat the wound at home.

Whether or not a person can determine if their cut is infected, they can begin by followTrusted Sourceing these steps:

Ensure that all necessary equipment is clean. For example, if using tweezers, clean them with rubbing alcohol first.
Thoroughly wash the hands with soap and warm water, then rinse and dry them.
If there is active bleeding, hold a clean bandage or gauze to the wound and apply pressure until it stops.
Clean the cut or scrape by running warm water over it for several minutes. Use warm, soapy water to clean the surrounding skin, but avoid getting soap in the wound.
Make sure that there is no dirt or debris, such as grass or gravel, in the wound. To remove debris, either use tweezers or carefully and gently rub the wound with a soft, damp cloth.
If desired, apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment or petroleum jelly to the cut or scrape.
Allow the skin to air-dry before buy prednisolone 20mg covering it with gauze or a bandage. There is usually no need to cover minor cuts and scrapes.
These steps will help a person protect the cut or wound from infection.

Wash the wound immediately by running clean water over it for several minutes. Then, clean the skin around the wound with warm, soapy water. If it is not possible to use clean water, treat the wound with alcohol wipes.
Allow the skin to air-dry.
Apply an antiseptic ointment to the wound.
Protect the injury with gauze or another suitable dressing.
Other tips
Change the wound dressing at least once a day. Replace it immediately if it gets damp or dirty.
Gently wash the wound each day.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or iodine on the wound as these may cause skin irritation in some people. Stop using other antiseptic ointments if they cause skin irritation.
Do not pick at the skin or the scab, as this can lead to scarring, slow healing, and increase the risk of infection.
See a doctor if the wound does not show improvement within 1–2 days.


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