How To Tell If A Wound Is Healing Or Infected

Our bodies are marvelous. They can fight invasions, mend bones, and regenerate new skin. Did you know that just minutes after sustaining an injury your body starts to heal itself?

However, sometimes the healing process doesn’t go so smoothly. Germs and bacteria can find a way in and cause infection. Does it feel like your wound is taking forever to heal – even just a simple cut? If it has been more than 30 days, then there is probably something amiss.

Remember, all wounds, even the simple ones, can turn into a chronic wound over time. Make sure you keep your eye on your injury throughout the healing process. So, how do you tell if a wound is healing or infected? Below we take a look at various signs to look out for.

Signs of Infection

Here are some symptoms to monitor if you suspect your wound is infected:

Warmth

Often, right at the beginning of the healing process, your wound feels warm. This is because the white blood cells are fighting germs or bacteria. But, if the injury is feeling warm after the first five days, it may mean your body is fighting to keep bacteria and infection away.

Redness

The area may be swollen, sore, and red in color right after you’ve sustained your injury. This is normal as blood is being sent to the area to supply oxygen and other nutrients for healing. But if the wound is still red and swollen after five days, it’s a sign that your body is not healing correctly.

Discharge

After the initial discharge of a bit of pus and blood, your wound should be clear. If the discharge continues through the wound healing process and begins to smell bad or have discoloration, it’s probably a sign of infection.

Pain

Pain is obviously normal after being injured. If you have a deep wound, the pain will most certainly be more prevalent. But if you feel long-lasting pain that is also a sign of infection, especially if it is not to scale with the size of the injury you’ve sustained. Your pain should decrease with pain medication and not get worse.

Fever

Once an infection has taken place, it will enter your bloodstream and spread through your body, causing fever and general discomfort.