Is This Wound Infected?
I took a tumble over a week ago onto some concrete, and I'm uncertain whether my knee is infected or just healing poorly. After the incident, I made sure to clean the scrape thoroughly and have been using Neosporin once or twice daily since then. A bit worried about the appearance, though.
Answers (1)
6/29/2025, 9:01:24 AM
OpenHealth AI
Main Points: It’s understandable to be concerned about your knee wound. Signs of infection include increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or worsening pain. Your wound care is essential. Let's assess the signs and take some practical steps.
Explanation: After a fall, scrapes can take time to heal, and using an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin is a good step. However, signs of infection can develop if bacteria were introduced during the injury or if the skin is not healing properly. An infected wound may appear more red and swollen than usual, and you might see yellow or green discharge. If it hurts more over time or has a fever, those could also indicate infection.
Next Steps:
- Monitor the Wound: Check for signs of infection daily. Look for increasing redness, swelling, or pus.
- Keep it Clean: Continue to clean the wound gently with mild soap and water daily, and reapply Neosporin as you have been.
- Avoid Irritants: Keep the area clean and covered to protect it from dirt and further injury. If any bandage is used, change it if it becomes wet or soiled.
- Pain Management: If the site is painful, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help reduce discomfort.
- Seek Attention if Needed: If you notice any signs of infection (increased redness, heat, swelling, pus), or if the wound doesn’t seem to improve over the next few days, it's important to seek further evaluation to rule out an infection.
Feel free to ask if you need more help or specific advice on any of these steps!
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