Diagnosis of infection is designated in the presence of erythema, pain, swelling, fluctuance, purulence, and loss of function.
Fever, chills, malaise) and local signs, such as increased wound size and depth, purulence with increased pus or drainage from wound fluctuance, crepitus, devitalised tissue, worsening swelling, spreading cellulitis or malodour.
Symptoms include increasing pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections may cause nausea, chills, or fever.
Infection. Wound location. Mechanical stress, pressure or friction. Presence of foreign bodies.
Indicators of wound infection include redness, swelling, purulent exudate, smell, pain, and systemic illness in the absence of other foci. Subtle signs of local wound infection include unhealthy “foamy” granulation tissue, contact bleeding, tissue breakdown, and epithelial bridging.
Wound bed. Healthy granulation tissue is pink in colour and is an indicator of healing. Unhealthy granulation is dark red in colour, often bleeds on contact, and may indicate the presence of wound infection.
As the wound begins to dry, a crust starts to form in the outer layer. If the crust is yellowish and if there is a formation of pimples on or near the wound, it could be septic. Sores that look like blisters. If there is a formation of sores which look like pockets of fluid around the area, they could be septic.
There are a number of tell-tale signs that your cut may be infected: The surrounding area becomes red, and this area gets larger over time. The area surrounding the wound becomes swollen, tender to the touch, or painful. The wound weeps off-color or odorous fluid; this pus may be yellow, greenish, or cloudy.
“Have you noticed any blood in your urine?” “What colour is your urine?” “Have you noticed any weakness of your arms/legs/face?” “Have your headaches got worse over time?” “Is your headache keeping you up at night?” “Can you tell me where the pain is exactly?” “Is your back pain disturbing your sleep?”
If you opt for self-care, keep an eye on your wound. If the area around the wound becomes red or begins to swell, or pus begins to drain from it, seek medical care right away. If you notice any numbness developing around the wound, that should be checked by a medical professional, too.
The red flag symptoms of sepsis are: New onset of confusion or altered mental state. High temperature. Fast heartrate. Fast and shallow breathing.
Although not an all-inclusive list, some of the more common complications include infection, tissue necrosis and gangrene, periwound dermatitis, periwound edema, osteomyelitis, hematomas, and dehiscence.
As a wound continues to heal, the red tissue will transition to a lighter pink color, which is a very good sign for the patient.
Include foods rich in vitamin C in your diet. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen. Fresh fruits and vegetables eaten daily will also supply your body with other nutrients essential to wound healing such as vitamin A, copper and zinc. It may help to supplement your diet with extra vitamin C.
Using mild soap and water prior to applying antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly and covering with a bandage or dressing is often sufficient in providing a wound the necessary environment to repair itself.
You should keep a wound moist and covered for about five days.