Wound Infection

Wound Infection - Suture Site Impetigo of Elbow Lymphangitis - Left Forearm

Definition

• A break in the skin shows signs of infection
• Also includes sutured wounds, puncture wounds and animal bites, etc.
• Most contaminated wounds become infected 24 to 72 hours after the initial break in the skin

 

Symptoms of Wound Infections

• Pus or cloudy fluid is draining from the wound
• A pimple or yellow crust has formed on the wound
• The scab has increased in size
• Increasing redness occurs around the wound
• A red streak is spreading from the wound toward the heart
• The wound has become extremely tender
• Pain or swelling is increasing 48 hours after the wound occurred
• The lymph node draining that area of skin may become large and tender
• A fever occurs
• The wound hasn't healed within 10 days after the injury

Return to School

• For true wound infections, your child can return to child care or school after the fever is gone and your child has received antibiotics for 24 hours.

When to call your doctor

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

• Not moving or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Fever occurs
• Red streak runs from the wound
• Increasing redness around the wound
• Severe pain in the wound
• Any face wound with signs of infection
• You think your child needs to be seen urgently

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently
• Pus or cloudy drainage from the wound
• Pimple where a stitch comes through the skin
• Wound becomes more painful or tender after the 2nd day

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If

• Mild redness of wound and you don't think your child needs to be seen

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD REDNESS OF WOUND

1. Warm Soaks or Local Heat:
   • For open cuts or scrapes, soak it in warm water or put a warm wet cloth on the wound for 20 minutes 3 times per day. Use a warm saltwater solution containing 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of table salt per quart (liter) of water.
   • For closed or sutured cuts, apply a heating pad or warm, moist washcloth to the reddened area for 20 minutes 3 times per day.
   • Cautions for sutured wounds: Avoid any moisture to wound for first 24 hours. Never soak the wound before all sutures are removed.
2. Antibiotic Ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin 3 times a day (no prescription needed). If the area could become dirty, cover with a Band-Aid.
3. Pain Medicine: For pain relief, give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
4. Fever Medicine:
   • Fevers only need to be treated with medicine if they cause discomfort. That usually means fevers above 102° F (39° C).
   • Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil). See Dosage Charts.
     
5. Expected Course:
   • Pain and swelling normally peak on day 2.
   • Any redness should go away by day 3 or 4.
   • Complete healing should occur by day 10.
6. Contagiousness: For true wound infections, your child can return to child care or school after the fever is gone and your child has received antibiotics for 24 hours.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Wound becomes more painful
   • Redness starts to spread
   • Pus, drainage or fever occurs
   • Your child becomes worse

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Author: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
Last reviewed: 9/15/2011
Last revised: 8/1/2011 3:35:49 PM

Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.