Wound Check, Infection

You have a wound that has become infected. This 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

Follow all directions you are given to treat the infection.

Medicines

Take all medicines as prescribed. 

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

Wound care

Care for your wound as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Continue to change the dressing daily. If it becomes wet, stained with wound fluid, or dirty, change it sooner.
• 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. 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.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised. If a culture was done, you will be notified if your treatment needs to change. Call as directed for the results.