How to Tell If A Wound Is Infected

What is a wound?

A wound is anything that affects the integrity of the skin and can be a puncture, laceration, incision, burn, or deep ulcer. Wounds can develop for a number of reasons including pressure, surgery, or trauma. Healing wounds are breeding grounds for bacteria that can cause infection.

How do wounds become infected?

Wounds become infected due to external sources such as bacteria, debris, or any other environmental factor. When there is a tear in the skin, these elements are able to enter the area which has been compromised. If not properly attended to, this bacteria can multiply and affect the healthy skin and tissue in the area, or potentially become systemic.

Who is at risk for wound infection?

When a person has a wound, the immune system is compromised making it more susceptible to infection. Other causes may include disease, foreign objects, repeated trauma, surgery, or degraded functioning. Many infections affect individuals during medical treatment such as outpatient procedures, emergency and surgical procedures, and in long term care facilities.

How do I tell if a wound is infected?

There are a variety of signs that may indicate infection and can be observed starting from the wound area, and depending on the severity, may affect overall health. Looking at the wound, it may be slow to heal, discharging, swelled, discolored, or painful and warm to the touch. Other vital sign indicators may be increased body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate which may signal a systemic infection.

How do I confirm a wound is infected?

If it appears that there may be an infection, it is essential to contact a healthcare provider immediately for diagnosis and treatment. They will confirm the diagnosis with blood samples, imaging, and sampling or cultures from the wound bed.

How do I treat an infected wound?

Proper wound care and debridement techniques will help to shield the wound from further damage and discourage the growth of bacteria. Healthcare providers may prescribe medicines or other treatments to help fight off infection and aid in wound healing. The infected person can also better their chances by making healthy lifestyle choices like eating properly and discontinuing unhealthy habits.