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Wound Infection


Symptom Definition

A break in the skin or a sutured wound shows signs of infection, such as:

  • 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 has increased 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.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

  • Stitches and not infected, see SUTURE QUESTIONS. (To go directly to this topic, click on the link following this document.)

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR WOUND INFECTION

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)

  • 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.

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


  • You think your child needs to be seen.
  • 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 of table salt per quart 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. (Caution: Avoid any moisture to sutured wound for first 24 hours.  Avoid soaking the wound until all sutures are removed.)

2.  Antibiotic Ointment:  Apply an antibiotic ointment 3 times a day.  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.  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.

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

6.  Call Your Doctor If:

  • Wound becomes more painful.
  • Redness starts to spread.
  • Pus, drainage or fever occurs.
  • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.


Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Pediatric HouseCall Online. Copyright © 2000-2003 Barton Schmitt, M.D.FAAP
Reviewed 8/2003
Revised 8/2003

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Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.


Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000


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