Most cuts are nothing to worry about. But sometimes bacteria can enter the broken skin and cause an infection. An infected cut can be painful and lead to more severe conditions.

You may be able to treat minor infected cuts at home. But you should also know the signs that your infected cut needs medical attention.

Infected Cut Symptoms

You will probably notice swelling, redness, and tenderness in the first few days after you get a cut. But if these symptoms continue or worsen instead of improving, you may have an infection.

Other signs of infection include:

  • An odd or bad odor coming from the cut.
  • Chills, fever, or achiness.
  • Increasing swelling that continues after several days.
  • Pus or wound drainage.
  • Redness or red streaks that seem to radiate from the cut.

Factors that Increase Your Risk of Wound Infection

Any cut can become infected. However, some factors can increase your risk of developing an infection. Underlying health conditions like diabetes can make even minor scratches potentially dangerous. Other things that can increase your risk of infection are:

  • A crushing injury.
  • A cut from a bite.
  • A cut or bite on the foot.
  • Dirt and debris in the cut.
  • Neglecting open or large cuts.

When you cut yourself, cleaning the area and removing dirt is essential. You should also allow the cut to dry out if possible. But some cuts may need medical attention or stitches. If you don’t treat large and deep cuts immediately, they can lead to severe infection.

infected cut

How to Treat an Infected Cut

You may be able to deal with minor infected cuts at home. Try to keep the area clean and dry as much as possible. You can also apply an antibacterial ointment to the cut. You can use clean and dry bandaging to loosely cover the cut and protect it from dirt. But take care to allow air to reach the cut so it can dry. Once the cut closes, you can remove the bandage if it is healing correctly. Watch for any changes to the cut. If the infection worsens, you should seek medical attention.

When to Seek Medical Care for an Infected Cut

An infected cut can lead to more severe conditions. The infection can spread from the cut into more sensitive tissues and throughout the body. Severe sepsis can occur quickly if an infection is left untreated. Watch for red streaks that radiate from the cut toward the body. You may also develop a fever or a feeling of malaise.

The doctor may need to clean out your cut to remove infected tissue. If your infection has spread, you may need to take antibiotics. The type of antibiotic you will need will depend on the kind of cut you have. If your cut is large or deep, you may need stitches to help it stay closed.

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care

Take Care of Infected Cuts at Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care

Get medical care when you see the signs of an infected cut. Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are not necessary for in-person visits. However, pre-registration is available.

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care has five convenient locations: