{"id":20432,"date":"2023-04-27T05:49:53","date_gmt":"2023-04-27T10:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20432"},"modified":"2023-07-19T10:52:11","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T15:52:11","slug":"how-to-prevent-wound-infection-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/how-to-prevent-wound-infection-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Wound Infection in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Children are energetic, curious and adventurous. Unfortunately, this combination can make children prone to accidents. Avoiding injuries altogether is unfeasible, if not impossible \u2014 especially if your child is especially rambunctious. Though many wounds are minor and should heal quickly \u2014 such as bruises, light scratches and scrapes \u2014 even a small dirty wound <\/span>can become infected within 24-72 hours<\/span><\/a> without proper care and cleaning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you call the ambulance, however, know that all wounds have the potential to look more severe than they are, especially on a child. It can often be hard to distinguish between a healing injury and an infected injury. The key is to recognize the signs of infection and to seek proper treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While parental medical care at home may be all well and good, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your children\u2019s health. A good rule of thumb is to seek a healthcare provider if you believe you have reason to be worried.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unable to meet with your primary care physician in time, it could be a good <\/span>reason to go to urgent care<\/span><\/a>. An <\/span>urgent care facility<\/span><\/a> may also have access to resources like X-ray machines, which would likely take a referral and more time to schedule through your primary care doctor. When it comes to injuries, time and knowledge can mean the difference between a healthy healing process and an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Signs of infection<\/h2>\n

Throughout the healing process, you must be familiar with different troubling signs \u2014 no matter the severity and size of the injury. These symptoms can be good <\/span>indications that a wound is infected<\/span><\/a> rather than just healing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Redness, swelling, or heat over the area<\/h2>\n

In the <\/span>initial stages of the healing process<\/span><\/a>, the area surrounding a wound is typically warm, red and swollen. This is typically a result of white blood cells fighting off infection and bacteria from the initial wound. However, if this appearance stays the same or worsens after around five days, this can indicate that these same cells are fighting an infection. In these situations, it\u2019s a good idea to seek medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

To help monitor a wound, use a pen to outline the redness surrounding the wound. If the redness expands beyond the pen outline, you can surmise the wound has worsened. In this case, it\u2019s best to seek your doctor\u2019s attention immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pus in or around the wound<\/h2>\n

If a wound drains and the fluid contains a cloudy, foul-smelling discharge, that could be <\/span>pus<\/span><\/a>. Pus is a natural reaction the body uses to respond to infection, and as such, it often accompanies infected wounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bad smell<\/h2>\n

A foul smell coming from a wound could be a result of pus as well as decaying tissue. This is a <\/span>sign the wound isn\u2019t healing properly<\/span><\/a> and should receive medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fever<\/h2>\n

A fever is a common sign<\/span><\/a> that the body is fighting off an infection, however, it isn\u2019t a guarantee that all is well. If a fever accompanies a wound, the infection may be causing the fever. A healthcare provider can diagnose the cause of the fever and inspect the wound to see if it is infected.<\/span><\/p>\n

The wound is not healing<\/h2>\n

If the wound does not appear to be healing in an expected fashion, it could be infected. Keep a lookout for typical signs of a healing wound like scabbing. A <\/span>healing wound<\/span><\/a> may also be accompanied by slight swelling and itchiness, however, if these symptoms continue for longer than five days, it could be a sign of infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

More pain<\/h2>\n

As a wound heals, the pain associated with it typically goes away. If it continues to be painful, particularly if the pain is not congruent to the size or severity of the wound, it could be a sign of infection. If the pain worsens, seek professional medical attention immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Swollen lymph node<\/h2>\n

Lymph nodes<\/span><\/a> are part of the body\u2019s lymphatic system that fights off infections and other illnesses. While they are located in many places throughout the body, the ones in the neck, just beneath the jaw, may swell from time to time \u2014 especially if the body is fighting a virus or an infection. If these nodes here are swollen or feel painful to the touch, they could be a sign of the body fighting off an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common causes of infection<\/h2>\n

You should also be more vigilant against infection for certain injuries, as some are <\/span>more prone to infection<\/span><\/a> than others. In following cases, it\u2019s important to carefully monitor the injury, and seek medical help as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Burns<\/h2>\n

Wounds from burns<\/span><\/a> have the potential to cause several health issues. One of the most potentially problematic is the capacity of intense burns to cause immunosuppression that can result in an increased chance of infection. A suppressed immune system can result in the wound becoming infected with sepsis or other dangerous infection.<\/span><\/p>\n