Wound Infection Signs

Recognizing infected cuts, grazes, and surgical wounds early

Step by Step

Watch any healing wound for spreading redness around the edges, increasing pain, swelling, warmth, pus or cloudy discharge, a bad smell, fever or chills, and swollen glands nearby. Infection usually appears within a few days. Clean minor wounds with running water, pat dry, and cover; do not pick at scabs. Seek medical care for redness that spreads, red streaks running from the wound toward the body, pus, fever, or a wound in a person with diabetes or a weakened immune system. Deep or dirty wounds, bites, and punctures are most prone to infection and often need professional assessment and possibly antibiotics. Infection spreading to the whole body can cause sepsis, which is an emergency: call emergency services for fever with confusion, rapid breathing, or feeling extremely unwell.