Recognizing infection signs early is essential because infection in chronic wounds develops insidiously and may reach bone or blood if untreated. However, signs may be less obvious than in acute wounds.
Local Infection Signs:
- Increased pain: Pain that suddenly increases or changes character — from mild to sharp or throbbing.
- Spreading redness: Redness around the wound extending further than before.
- Local warmth: Area around the wound feels warmer to touch.
- New swelling: Swelling around the wound that wasn't there before.
- Changed exudate: Thick yellow or green foul-smelling discharge.
- Delayed or regressed healing: Wound was improving then stopped or increased in size.
- Friable granulation tissue: Red tissue that bleeds easily or appears unhealthy.
Systemic Infection Signs (Serious):
- Fever above 38°C.
- Chills and sweating.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Sudden blood sugar spike in diabetics.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we assess infection signs at every visit and take wound cultures when suspicious to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic.