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Healthy Children > Tips & Tools > KidsDoc Symptom Checker > Wound Infection
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Wound Infection

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Definition

  • A break in the skin or a sutured wound shows signs of infection

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.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to 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. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.
Last Review Date: 8/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011 3:35:49 PM
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Version: 2012
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
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When To Call

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 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

 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to 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. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.
Last Review Date: 8/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011 3:35:49 PM
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Version: 2012
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Care Advice

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

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

To find a pediatrician, click here.

 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to 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. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.
Last Review Date: 8/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011 3:35:49 PM
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Version: 2012
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Photos

 

Impetigo of Elbow

The photo shows an abrasion of elbow that has become infected with bacteria.

Source: Wikimedia Commons
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

This is a public domain image file from Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia is a freely licensed media repository.

 

Lymphangitis - Left Forearm

If you look closely at this photo, you should be able to see a red streak (lymphangitis) spreading from the hand wound up into the arm.

The presence of lymphangitis means that there is an infection that needs urgent antibiotic treatment. Admission to the hospital is sometimes required.

Source: LMS Inc.
Copyright 2000-2011. Self Care Decisions, LLC. Used by Permission.

 

Wound Infection - Suture Site

There is a pimple where a stitch comes through the skin. The pimple suggests a low-grade infection.

Source: LMS Inc.
Copyright 2000-2011. Self Care Decisions, LLC. Used by Permission.

 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to 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. For more information, click here.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.
Last Review Date: 8/1/2011
Last Revised: 8/1/2011 3:35:49 PM
Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker
Version: 2012
Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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Related Information

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