Infected Wounds

Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Specialists located in Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Frisco, TX, Overland Park, KS, San Antonio, TX, The Woodlands, TX, Tyler, TX, & Little Rock, AR

An infection is the most severe complication you can develop in a wound. Infections prevent healing, cause further tissue damage, and can spread to cause skin and bone infections. The team at Wound Evolution in Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, Texas, and Overland Park, Kansas, focus on preventing infections when possible and providing individualized and advanced treatment when infected wounds develop. Don’t wait to get help for infected wounds. Call or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.

What Causes a Wound Infection?

In most cases, wound infections develop due to bacteria. The bacteria may come from your skin, other parts of your body, or the outside environment. When a wound infection is present, it can cause you to experience increasing pain, swelling, and redness.

You may experience chills, nausea, or fever in more severe cases. While some minor wound infections may be treated at home, it is important to have any infections evaluated by a professional to ensure further complications do not occur.

What Complications Develop Due to Infected Wounds?

In addition to interfering with wound healing and potentially turning an acute wound into a chronic wound, untreated infected wounds may lead to:

Cellulitis

Cellulitis occurs when a wound infection spreads to the deeper layers of your skin.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis develops when the infection spreads to the nearby bones. A bone infection may lead to impaired circulation in the bone, bone death, and septic arthritis.

Sepsis

Sepsis is an immune reaction that occurs when an infection spreads into your bloodstream. This condition is severe and life-threatening.

What Increases my Risk of Infected Wounds?

An infected wound can happen to almost any patient, although certain conditions increase your risk. Health conditions that increase your risk of wound infection include:

Diabetes
Poor circulation
Obesity
Malnutrition
Limited mobility
Suppressed immune system

Overall hygiene also makes a difference. You’re more likely to develop infected wounds when you fail to keep the wound clean and covered with the appropriate dressing.

Reclaim your health and peace of mind.

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What Are the Symptoms of a Wound Infection?

When an infection develops, you may experience body-wide symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and nausea. Infected wounds also cause pain. However, the most obvious signs appear in the wound.

You may notice signs such as warm skin around the wound, an unpleasant odor, and yellow or greenish discharge. If the infection starts to spread from the wound, you’ll see red streaks around the area.

How Are Infected Wounds Diagnosed?

The Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine team begin by performing a comprehensive evaluation, including reviewing your medical history, a physical exam, diagnostic imaging if needed, and lab tests.

Your wound is closely examined to determine the type, severity, and size of the wound and to look for signs of an infection.

How Are Infected Wounds Treated?

Treatment for infected wounds includes a combination of wound cleansing, wound debridement, topical or oral antibiotics, and the appropriate dressing for the type of wound. Wound Evolution may use an antimicrobial dressing, which uses silver technology to fight bacteria and other microorganisms.

Nutrition and hydration are also important parts of your treatment for an infected wound. Your body’s healing process demands more than the recommended daily intake of calories, protein, and nutrients. The team may recommend dietary changes or supplements.

Schedule Your Appointment

Call Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine or book an appointment online today to receive exceptional care for infected wounds.