How to tell if a wound is infected?

[Syvelocin]

I'm just wondering. I can be kind of paranoid. It doesn't look too obviously infected, but just that it's been a few days and it's still open and a bit swollen and red. It was kinda deep anyway, but the last cut around this depth seemed a little... more attractive.

It's also that I only had one bandaid that fell off after a day, and I was embarrassed to ask my fiancé to get some while he was at the store. He knows about me, he just gets really worried.

So, other than whether the cut is oozing pus or something like that, is there any other signs to look for in an infected wound?

[Clawhammer]

Is it red and tender, maybe swelling and leaking puss? If it's a large wound, keep a sterile bandage on it at all times, keep it out of places where it could get dirty, and clean it often.

[ShatteredWings]

if it's not oosing puss, it's probably not

but you need to bandage it, especially if it's still open.

[Continuum]

Here. (http://www.ehow.com/how_2056084_recognize-symptoms-infection-wounds.html)

[Paladino]

I think it is infected because of the redness and the swelling.

[The Dark Lord]

Try this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4577939_tell-whether-cut-infected.html

[Syvelocin]

I don't think it is, but thanks much everyone :) It's red and swollen a bit, but come to think of it, all the deeper ones tend to heal like that. I just worry all the time.

[patrick99]

if it yellow

[willrod]

Here are signs that a wound is infected. Not all of these signs need to be present, but the more signs there are, the more likely it's infected:

*Localized redness
*Warmth around the wound
*Swelling
*Pain, especially throbbing pain
*Pus or other drainage
*Fever, headache, or nausea
*Red streaks spreading from the site of infection- this is extremely serious, and is known as "blood poisoning"

[1_21Guns]

everyones told you the signs, but try and get some antiseptic cream on it, i'm sure your boyfriends gonna be more worried about an infected cut, which can become quite dangerous, than band aids... :hug: