How to recognize the signs of wound infection

Knowing how to tell if a wound is infected is an important skill to have, namely because you'll be able to alert your doctor to the infection as soon as possible. The sooner your doctor can intervene with the appropriate treatment method, the better your chances of getting back on the proper healing track without further complications.
Here are the signs and symptoms of wound infection that you should never ignore:

Knowing the signs of wound infection helps your doctor prescribe the right treatment.

Increased or continued pain
If your wound is healing properly, the pain should gradually subside. However, if it remains constant or gets worse, it could be a sign that the wound is infected, and therefore not healing at a normal rate. Body aches can also be a symptom.
Fever
An infected wound may have localized fever, meaning it feels significantly warmer than surrounding areas. Additionally, VeryWell Health noted that a whole body temperature of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit is a sign that the infection may be spreading.
Feeling unwell
According to Healthline, a sense of malaise can mean feeling weak, under the weather or generally uncomfortable. This noticeable lack of energy could be a symptom of infection. VeryWell Health noted that symptoms of nausea or diarrhea can further indicate that the infection is beginning to affect other body systems.
Swelling
Wound Source noted that inflammation is normal at the beginning stages of wound healing, but if the swelling does no...

Source: Advanced Tissue - March 28, 2019 Category: Dermatology Authors: AdvancedTissue Tags: Wound Infection Source Type: news