Wound Guide
What is an Infected Wound?
Infection can develop in any type of wound and is usually accompanied by pain, inflammation, oedema, odor, swelling or increased exudate. Left untreated the infection can spread, becoming a more severe systemic infection requiring medical intervention
The most severe local complication of an infected wound is stalled wound healing, resulting in a non-healing wound. This often results in significant pain and discomfort and is detrimental to the psychological well-being of the patient. More serious systemic complications can include cellulitis, osteomyelitis or septicaemia.
Treatment Aims
Localized infections in a wound can often be treated with topical antibiotics. Debridement may also be necessary to remove any slough and devitalized tissue, which can slow wound healing and can affect the efficacy of topical antibiotics. Antimicrobial dressings can also be used to help reduce bioburden.
Products that treat Infected Wounds
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Wound Types
Select a wound type below to discover more...
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Necrotic tissue is dead or devitalized non-viable tissue which impedes wound healing.
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Slough refers to the yellow/white material in the wound bed.
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Granulation describes the appearance of the red, bumpy tissue in the wound bed as the wound heals.
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Epithelialization is the final stage of wound healing and is pink/white in color.
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Cavity wounds can be defined as a wound that extends beneath the dermis.
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A fungating wound develops when cancer that is growing under the skin breaks through the skin and creates a wound.
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A scar may appear flat, lumpy, sunken, or colored.
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