We often experience cuts and scrapes from wounds on a daily basis. Most wounds will heal without problems. However, sometimes bacteria can get into the wound and cause an infection that can be dangerous. Early detection of infection will make treatment faster and more effective. Most infections are treated with antibiotics, although treatment depends on the severity of the infection. There are several main indicators of infection, including redness, discharge of pus and ongoing pain. Thus, learning how to check a wound for infection is an important part of maintaining your health.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Checking for Increasing Pain, Swelling, Redness or Warmth Around the Wound
Step 1. Wash your hands first
Before examining a wound, you should always wash your hands thoroughly. If you're worried about the wound getting infected or becoming infected, touching the wound with dirty fingers can make the wound worse. Make sure you wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water before doing anything.
Remember to wash your hands after touching the wound
Step 2. Examine the wound carefully
You should remove the bandage/plaster from the wound you are examining. Do this step carefully so as not to aggravate the affected area. If the bandage/plaster sticks to the wound, use running water to loosen it. You can also use water spray in the kitchen to help you do this.
After the bandage/plaster has been removed, the bandage/plaster must be disposed of in the trash. Never try to reuse a used bandage/plaster
Step 3. Observe the redness or swelling of your wound
As you observe the wound, notice if it is too red or if it is redder than before. If the color of the wound looks very red and redness is seen spreading from the wound area, this is a sign of infection.
Chances are your skin will also feel warm in the area of the wound. Call your doctor for advice if any of these symptoms appear
Step 4. Watch out if the pain is getting worse
Feeling new or increasing pain is a symptom of an infected wound. Pain alone or with other symptoms (such as swelling, warmth, and pus) indicates an infection. Consult a doctor if you experience increasing pain in the injured area. It is likely that this pain will feel like it is coming from inside the wound. In general, swelling, warmth/warmth and pain/pain in the wound area are the most common markers that the wound has been infected.
You will likely feel a stabbing pain. Itching isn't always a sign of infection, although you shouldn't damage the wound by scratching it too often. Fingernails can carry more bacteria and scratching will make the wound worse
Step 5. Do not apply antibiotic ointment unless recommended by a doctor
Research has not shown that antibiotic ointments can significantly help wound infection heal. Infections that have spread can also enter your body, so treating an external wound once this has occurred will not kill the bacteria that are in your body.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment if the infection is mild and occurs only on the surface of the wound
Method 2 of 5: Checking for Pus and Fluid
Step 1. Examine the wound for pus or a yellowish or greenish discharge
The fluid that comes out of this wound may also smell bad. If you notice pus or cloudy fluid coming out of the wound, this is a big sign of infection. You should get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Sometimes discharge from the wound is normal, as long as the fluid is watery and clear. Bacteria can cause clear pus to turn yellow or green. In this case, the doctor may need to examine the fluid to determine the specific cause of the infection
Step 2. Watch for a buildup of pus around the wound
If you notice pus forming under the skin and around the wound, you may have an infection. Even if you can see a buildup of pus or feel a soft lump forming under the skin but not draining out of the wound, this is still a sign of infection and should be taken seriously.
Step 3. Replace the old bandage/plaster with a new sterile bandage/plaster after examining the wound
If there are no signs of infection in the wound, the bandage/plaster will cover and protect the wound. If there are signs of infection in the wound, a sterile bandage/plaster will protect the wound from further contamination until you can see a doctor.
Be careful when applying the tape so that only the non-sticky part of the tape remains on the wound. The tape you use should be large enough to cover the wound easily
Step 4. If the wound continues to fester, consult a doctor
Some of the pus and fluid that comes out of the wound can be considered normal because the body is fighting the infection. However, if the pus turns yellow or green and the amount is increasing (or not decreasing), consider seeing a doctor. This is a very appropriate step, especially if you are experiencing most of the signs of infection described above.
Method 3 of 5: Checking for Lymph System Infection
Step 1. Check the skin around the wound for red streaks
You will likely see these lines on the skin on the outside of the wound. Red streaks on the skin around the wound can mean that the infection has spread to the system that draws fluid from deep into the tissues, called the lymph system.
This type of infection (lymphangitis) can be a serious health problem, and you should seek medical attention immediately if you notice any red streaks coming from the wound area, especially if you also have a fever
Step 2. Locate the lymph node closest to the wound
The lymph nodes closest to the arm are around the armpit; for the legs, the nearest lymph nodes are around the groin. In other parts of the body, the lymph nodes closest to you are located on both sides of the neck, just below the chin and the jawbone on the right and left sides of the neck.
Bacteria are trapped in these glands during the course of the immune response. Sometimes infection of the lymph system can occur without any visible red streaks on the skin
Step 3. Check for abnormalities in your lymph nodes
Press gently and palpate the area with 2 or 3 fingers for enlarged lymph nodes, which may also be painful. A fairly easy way to find the abnormality is to use both hands to feel the lymph nodes on both sides of the body at the same time. The lymph nodes on both sides should feel the same and be of the same size in general if you are in good health.
Step 4. Feel for specific lymph nodes for swelling or pain
If you can feel swelling or pain in the area of the lymph nodes, this could be a sign that the infection is spreading, even if there are no streaks of redness. Under normal conditions, lymph nodes are only about 1.2 cm in size and you shouldn't be able to feel them. However, lymph nodes can swell to two or three times their normal size so that you can feel them clearly.
- Swollen lymph nodes that feel tender and easy to move usually indicate infection or inflammation.
- A hard lymph node that doesn't move, is painful, or lasts more than 1 or 2 weeks should be seen by a doctor.
Method 4 of 5: Checking Temperature and General Body
Step 1. Take your body temperature
In addition to the symptoms found in the wound area, you may also experience a fever. Body temperature above 38°C can be a marker of infection in the wound. You should seek medical attention if the fever is accompanied by one or more of the above-mentioned signs of infection.
Step 2. Be alert if you feel unwell
Infection in the wound can be detected through a simple thing, namely the body that feels unwell (general malaise). If you get hurt and feel unwell a few days later, it could be something to do with it. Re-examine your wound for signs of infection, and if you continue to feel unwell, contact a healthcare professional.
If you notice body aches, headaches, dizziness, stomach pain, or even vomiting, you may have an infection. The presence of new symptoms is something you should check with your doctor
Step 3. Monitor the adequacy of your body fluids
Being dehydrated can be a sign of infection in the wound. Some of the main symptoms of dehydration include less frequent urination, dry mouth, sunken eyes, and dark urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should pay extra attention to your wound, check it carefully for other signs of infection, and call your doctor.
Since the body is fighting infection, it is very important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
Method 5 of 5: Handling Severe Cases
Step 1. Know the types of wounds that are prone to infection
Most wounds will heal with little or no problem. However, wounds are more likely to become infected if they are not cleaned and treated properly. Wounds on the feet, hands, and other areas that are commonly exposed to bacteria are also very susceptible to infection. Cuts from scratches and bites caused by animals or humans are also more likely to become infected.
- Pay particular attention to bites, stab wounds, and crush injuries. Be careful when handling wounds caused by something unclean: such as a rusty knife, rusty nail, or dirty utensil.
- If you are injured by a bite, talk to your doctor about your risk for rabies or tetanus. You may need to get antibiotics or a tetanus vaccination.
- If your body is in good health and has a strong immune system, most wounds will heal with little risk of infection. Your body's defenses have increased to prevent infection.
Step 2. Understand other risk factors for infection
If your immune system is compromised due to a health problem such as diabetes, HIV, or malnutrition, you have a higher risk of getting an infection. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi that normally wouldn't cause a problem for the immune system can get into the wound and multiply to an alarming rate. This often occurs in severe second and third degree burns, when the skin in this state-the first line of your physical defenses-is already severely damaged.
Step 3. Watch for signs of a severe infection
You can have a fever, you can also feel sick. Your heart will likely beat faster than normal. The wound will feel warm, red, swollen, and painful. You'll likely notice a foul odor, like the smell you would smell from something rotting or rotting. All of these symptoms can manifest as mild or as very severe – but if you are experiencing several of them, you need to seek medical treatment.
- Don't drive if you're feeling hot and cold. If possible, ask a friend or family member to drive you to the hospital. You may need to be given some strong antibiotics to stabilize your system.
- If in doubt, have your wound checked. When it comes to infections, it's not enough to just rely on the internet to diagnose your wound. A valid medical diagnosis is the best way to confirm it.
Step 4. Visit a doctor
If you believe your wound is infected, visit a medical clinic or make an emergency appointment to see your doctor. This is especially important if you have other health problems, or if you have risk factors for infection.
Step 5. Consider taking antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Antibiotics can help fight or prevent bacterial infections, and they can be the most effective way to treat inflammation. NSAIDs will help recover from swelling, pain, and fever. You can buy NSAIDs without a prescription, but most effective antibiotics require a prescription from a doctor.
Avoid NSAIDs if you are taking blood-thinning medications. Please be aware that this drug can cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage in some people. Ask your doctor
Tips
- Use good lighting. You can see signs of infection more easily in a bright room.
- If your wound doesn't show any signs of increasing healing, such as a scab, then your wound has an infection. Visit a doctor. You should also see a doctor immediately if the wound gets worse.
- If pus continues to come out of the wound area, clean it as soon as you see it coming out of the wound. If the pus doesn't stop, see a doctor.
