Wound (Skin) Infection

What is a wound infection?

When your child has a skin injury, watch for signs of infection. Signs that the wound is infected include:

• Pus or cloudy fluid draining from the wound.
• A pimple or yellow crust forming on the wound.
• The scab is increasing in size.
• Increasing redness occurs around the wound (cellulitis).
• 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.
• Your child may develop a fever over 100°F (37.8°C).
• The wound hasn't healed within 10 days after the injury.

What is the cause?

Most skin infections follow breaks in the skin (for example, from cuts, puncture wounds, animal bites, splinters, thorns, or burns). Bacteria (especially staphylococcus or streptococcus) then invade the wound and cause the infection. Some infections start with a closed rash (that is, the skin is not broken). Examples are insect bites, chickenpox, scabies, or acne. If a child picks at these rashes, the skin can become broken and then infected.

Deeper wounds (for example, puncture wounds) are much more likely to become infected than superficial wounds (for example, scrapes). The hands are at increased risk for infection from puncture wounds. The penetrating claws or teeth of cats pose a major risk for infection.

Cellulitis (skin infection) can sometimes start without any recent wound infection. This type of cellulitis is spread from the bloodstream and can be serious it is not treated.

How long does it last?

With appropriate antibiotics and warm soaks, the wound infection should improve within 24 to 48 hours. By that time, your child should stop having any fever caused by the infection. Any red streaking or red patches should stop spreading. The area of the wound should also be much less tender within 48 hours. Within one week after your child starts taking antibiotics, all signs of active infection should be completely gone.

What is the treatment?

• Antibiotics

  Your child needs the antibiotic prescribed by your healthcare provider.

  This medicine will kill the germs that are causing the wound infection. Try not to forget any of the doses. If your child goes to school or stays with a baby sitter, arrange for someone to give the afternoon dose.

  Even though your child will feel better in a few days, give the antibiotic until it is completely gone to keep the infection from flaring up again.

• Warm soaks or local heat

  For open wounds that are infected, proper cleaning is important for healing. Soak the wounded area in warm water or put a warm, wet cloth on the wound for 20 minutes three times a day. Use a warm saltwater solution containing 2 teaspoons of table salt per quart of water. Use this solution to remove all the pus and loose scabs. (Don't use hydrogen peroxide because it is a weak germ-killer.) Your healthcare provider may give you a syringe to help wash out the wound. Continue soaking the wound 3 times a day until it looks clear of infection. Then cleanse the wound and change the dressing once a day until the wound has healed.

  For closed wounds that are infected, apply a heating pad or warm, moist washcloth to the reddened area for 20 minutes 3 times a day. This will help deliver the antibiotic to the infection.

  For sutured wounds, avoid any moisture for the first 24 hours. Then wash the surface with soap and water once per day. Avoid soaking the wound until all sutures are removed.

• Fever and pain relief

  Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen if he develops a fever over 102°F (39°C) or the wound is painful.

• Contagiousness

  The pus from wound infections is somewhat contagious. It can cause skin infections in other people if the pus accidentally gets on other people's skin or on an open cut. Be certain that other people in the family do not use your child's towel or washcloth. Encourage your child not to touch the wound because it puts germs on his fingers. Also, ask him to wash his hands more often than usual, or wash his hands for him. Cut his fingernails short.

  Keep your child out of school until he has been treated with antibiotics for 24 hours and is free of fever.

How can I help prevent infections?

Wash all new wounds vigorously with soap and water for 5 to 10 minutes to remove dirt and bacteria. Soak puncture wounds in warm, soapy water for 15 minutes. Do this as soon as possible after the injury occurs, because the longer you wait, the less the benefit.

Encourage your child not to pick at insect bites, scabs, or other areas of irritated skin.

Teach your children that kissing an open wound is dangerous because the wound will become contaminated by the many germs in the mouth.

Applying an antibiotic ointment after cleaning might be helpful.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• The redness keeps spreading.
• The wound becomes extremely painful.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:

• The fever is not gone 48 hours after your child starts taking an antibiotic.
• The wound infection does not look better 3 days after your child starts taking an antibiotic.
• The wound isn't completely healed within 10 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.