A wound that has become infected with bacteria. Can spread rapidly if untreated. Early recognition and treatment prevents serious complications including sepsis.
Identify signs of wound infection: increasing redness around the wound that is spreading, warmth and swelling, pus or cloudy discharge, increasing pain rather than improving pain, bad odour, and fever.
A wound infected within 24 hours of injury may indicate a more aggressive bacteria — seek medical care promptly.
Clean the wound thoroughly with clean running water for at least 5 minutes. Remove any visible debris gently.
Apply antiseptic solution — diluted iodine, chlorhexidine, or hydrogen peroxide diluted 1 part to 3 parts water. Do not use neat hydrogen peroxide — it damages tissue.
Cover with a clean dry dressing. Change the dressing twice daily.
Mark the edge of any redness with a pen and note the time. If the redness spreads beyond the mark within hours, this is spreading cellulitis — go to hospital.
Keep the infected limb elevated above heart level to reduce swelling.
Most wound infections require antibiotic treatment — see a doctor or health worker.
Monitor body temperature twice daily. Fever developing with a wound infection is a serious sign.
Red streaks spreading up the limb from the wound — tracking lymphangitis, infection spreading through lymphatic system.
Swollen and tender lymph nodes above the wound.
Fever above 38.5°C with wound infection — possible early sepsis.
Wound in a diabetic or immunocompromised person — infections spread much faster.
Black or grey discolouration of tissue around the wound — possible necrotising fasciitis, emergency.
Wound does not improve after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment.
Do not close or cover a deep puncture wound tightly — anaerobic bacteria thrive without oxygen.
Animal bites — especially dog and human bites — have high infection rates and need medical evaluation.
Wounds from rusty metal, soil, or animal bites carry tetanus risk — check vaccination status.
Do not squeeze pus from a deep wound — this spreads infection deeper.
✓ What Helps
· Chlorhexidine solution for wound cleaning
· Diluted povidone iodine for antiseptic cleaning
· Non-stick sterile dressings
· Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever
✗ What To Avoid
· Neat undiluted hydrogen peroxide — damages healthy tissue
· Closing a deep dirty wound with tape or stitches before cleaning
· Traditional poultices or herbal applications on open wounds
→ Ask The Pharmacist For
· Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) — broad spectrum antibiotic for skin infections
· Flucloxacillin for wound infections if amoxicillin allergy
· Tetanus vaccination if not up to date and wound is dirty
🏥 Get Professional Help
See a doctor for any wound showing signs of infection, any animal or human bite, any puncture wound from a rusty object, and any wound in a diabetic person. Go immediately if red streaks are spreading, there is fever, or the tissue around the wound is turning dark.