Suture Removal, Infected Wound

Your sutures are being removed. Your wound has become infected. The wound will not heal properly unless the infection is cleared. Infection in a wound may also spread if it is not treated. In most cases, antibiotic medicines are prescribed to treat a wound infection.

Symptoms of a wound infection include:

• Redness or swelling around the wound
• Warmth coming from the wound
• New or worsening pain
• Red streaks around the wound
• Increased drainage including pus
• Fever
• Foul or bad smell coming from the wound

Home care

Medicines

• If you were given antibiotics, take them until they are gone or your healthcare provider tells you to stop. It is vital to finish the antibiotics even if you feel better. If you do not finish them, the infection may come back and be harder to treat.
• Take medicine for pain as directed by your healthcare provider.

Wound care

Care for your wound as directed by the healthcare provider. This may include the following:

• Apply a warm compress to the infected area for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Be very careful not to burn yourself. Test the cloth on a non-infected area to make sure it is not too hot.
• Change the dressing daily. If it becomes wet, stained with wound fluid, or dirty, change it as soon as possible. To change it:
• Wash your hands with soap and water before changing the dressing.
• Carefully remove the dressing and tape. If it sticks to the wound, you may need to wet it a little to remove it. (Do not do this if your healthcare provider has told you not to.)
• Gently clean the wound with clean water (or saline) using gauze, a clean washcloth, or cotton swab.
• Do not use soap, alcohol, peroxide or other cleansers.
• If you were told to dry the wound before putting on a new dressing, gently pat dry.  Do not rub.
• Throw out the old dressing.
• Wash your hands again before opening the new, clean dressing.
• Wash your hands again when you are done.

Nutrition for wound healing

• During this time, make sure you follow a healthy diet. This is needed so the wound can heal and to prevent another infection. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about what to include in your diet during this time. 
• Follow up with your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition that led to your wound, such as diabetes. Your provider can help you prevent future wounds. 

Follow-up care

• Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised.
• It is important to keep your follow-up appointment to be certain that the infection is being treated. 
• If a culture was done, you will be notified if the treatment needs to change.
• Call as directed for the results.