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How to Recognize an Infection in an Wound

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How to Recognize an Infection in an Wound

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There are signs and symptoms that occur which can let someone know that they might have an infection. These signs and symptoms are an expanding redness of the wound, yellow/greenish colored pus, cloudy wound drainage, red streaking that spreads from the wound, a fever that lasts over 4 hours, an increase in swelling, tenderness, and/or pain around the wound, if they wound won't heal, if the skin is irritated, and a hard or painful lump that is in your armpit or groin area.

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Gloves that might have blood or any other bodily fluids on them should be removed in a way that involves not touching the outside of the glove or leaving the fluid able to be touched by someone else. Use the dominant hand to pinch the glove in the area of the palm and then pull up causing the glove to come off inside out. Then crunch the removed glove into the palm of the hand that removed it. Then with the non-dominant hand, make a L and stick your index finger under the glove up to the top of the palm and then twist the finger and pull up. This will cause the glove to come off inside out with the other glove still inside the glove that was just pulled off. Once making sure that there are no bodily fluids seen on the glove that someone can touch, place the gloves in the trash.

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Universal Precaution is a way that fitness professionals or anyone else can prevent getting or spreading diseases. These precautions prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens which helps keeps people safe and healthy. Universal Precaution is used when dealing with blood or any other bodily fluids that can contain diseases or sicknesses. When caring for a wound, someone will need PPE or Personal Protective Equipment. PPE includes gloves, goggles, a mask, a resuscitation ventilator, etc. For the wound itself, someone would need soap and water to clean the wound, an antibiotic ointment that is put on top of the wound to prevent it from sticking to a cloth or bandage, a sterile bandage or cloth to cover the wound and stop bleeding, and possibly stitches.

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Definition: A wound that appears when the skin is torn from the body and major bleeding is involved. Reattaching the tissue to the skin is important.
Initial Care: Someone with an avulsion wound should go to the hospital to seek immediate care and get the tissue reattached. Apply direct pressure to the wound by placing a sterile cloth to stop the bleeding no matter how severe or open the wound looks. Use water or saline solution to clean the wound, even though it will cause minimal bleeding. If the flap of skin that was torn off is still semi-attached, then replace the flap and cover the wound. If the tissue is totally missing from the skin, collect the tissue or bring it to the emergency department and then reattach it. Depending on how serious the injury is and where the injury is, someone might need stitches or a sling/crutches.
Post Care: Visit the doctor to have them change the dressings and examine the wound for any signs of an infection or other complications. Limit any activity the person might usually take part in to avoid complications with the avulsion healing. Clean the wound once or twice a day with cool water after the first 24 or 48 hours of getting the injury. Don't soak the wound and clean around the wound, but not on it. Pat the wound dry and reapply new sterile bandages. Elevate the wound for 30 minutes to reduce swelling and pain. When reapplying the bandage to the wound, do not wrap it too tightly and use a bandage that doesn't stick to the wound, use one that has a spongy layer to absorb fluids. Use a clean towel or washcloth that is soaked with cool water and leave it on the wound for however long the doctor directed. Don't expose the wound to direct sunlight and use SPF on the new and healed skin for at least 1 year after the avulsion wound heals. If stitches, crutches, or a sling were given, then an appointment will be needed to go back and get them removed.

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Definition: A wound that appears when an object punctures your skin. This can happen during physical activities. If someone gets a puncture wound, they should go to their physician immediately because penetrating the tissue can cause tetanus bacillus in the bloodstream which can lead to lockjaw.
Initial Care: Seek immediate help after getting a puncture wound. Apply direct pressure to the puncture wound for 15 minutes to stop the bleeding, but use pressure points if bleeding continues. Seal the puncture wound to prevent air from flowing, but if breathing is hard, then unseal the wound. Wash the wound with soap and warm water for 5-10 minutes. Remove the remaining dirt or other particles from the wound. If the wound doesn't need stitches, apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound and then cover it with a sterile cloth or bandage. Other more serious puncture wounds will require stitches.
Post Care: Check the wound daily for signs of infection. Clean the wound and change the bandage daily. Rewash and reapply the ointment for the first two days after the injury. If the puncture wound doesn't heal, go back to the doctor. If stitches were applied, they will need to be removed.

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Definition: A wound that appears on your skin as a smooth edge and these usually occur during surgery.
Initial Care: Clean the incision with soap and water, but don't scrub or soak the wound. Air-dry or gently tap the wound with a sterile towel to dry it. Apply a topical ointment on the wound and then apply a sterile dressing onto the wound.
Post Care: Avoid wearing tight clothing over the wound and avoid itching/scratching the wound. Don't expose the wound directly into the sunlight for 3-9 months after surgery because the skin is highly sensitive. There will be drainage from the wound a few days after getting stitches, but if it doesn't stop then go to the doctor. Don't take baths with the wound, because it needs to stay dry. Cover it with a plastic bag to keep the dressing and wound dry while in the shower. Make sure to not put any lotion or powder on the incision while it is still healing. Don't remove anything from the wound unless told to. Check the wound for signs of infection daily. The stitches will have to be removed later on and follow the doctor's instructions on when and how to change the dressing.

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Definition: A wound that appears when there is a blunt force that is delivered over a sharp bone or a bone that is poorly padded, which gives the wound the appearance of a jagged-edge cavity. Lacerations can result in a skin avulsion, so any severe lacerations should be referred to a physician immediately.
Initial Care: With a small laceration, it should be dealt with within 6 hours of getting it and a face or scalp laceration should be dealt with within 24 hours of getting it, but deep lacerations are an exception and should be dealt with sooner. A small laceration can be treated at home. Use a sterile gauze or cloth to stop the bleeding of the wound. Remove dirt and other particles in the wound by running it under cool water and then use a cloth, warm water, and soap to clean it. Put antibiotic ointment over the wound and then cover it with a sterile gauze or cloth and use first-aid tape to keep the gauze on the wound. With a more serious laceration, such as it being more deep, wide, numb, on the face, caused by an animal or human bite, no tetanus shot has been taken in the past 5-10 years, if the wound is over a joint, or fat, muscle, or bone can be seen, someone would need to go to the doctor to seek professional treatment. The same procedure will be used when treated at home, but then they will apply stitches or staples to the wound. The doctors will also perform an x-ray to see if particles are still inside the wound which could cause an infection.
Post Care: Clean the laceration wound every day with soap and water, apply more ointment, and apply a new sterile gauze or cloth onto the wound. Take the bandage off after a few days if the laceration is minor. If the laceration needed stitches, they will need to be removed later. Check the wound often for signs of infection.

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Definition: A wound that appears when the skin is scraped against a rough surface. The top layer of skin is worn away, which exposes numerous blood capillaries, so there is a higher risk for an infection.
Initial Care: With clean hands, clean the area with cool or lukewarm water and soap. If there is dirt and particles in the wound remove them with clean tweezers. If the abrasion isn't bleeding, then don't put anything over the wound. If the abrasion is bleeding, then apply pressure to it with a sterile cloth or bandage and elevate the injured area. With an abrasion that bled, apply topical antibiotic ointment or a sterile moisture barrier ointment on top of the wound. Then cover the wound with a sterile bandage or gauze.
Post Care: Clean the wound and change the ointment and bandage once a day. Check the wound often to check if the wound is infected and if you suspect that it is, go to the doctor. A scab will form when it is healing, do not touch or pick at the scab.