Possible infection?

What are the signs of an infection? I have three cuts, done at the same time using a clean instrument and cared for appropriately afterwards, and they are oozing pus a little. I'm guessing this is a sign of infection? But there is no redness and no pain ( no more pain than could be expected for a cut). I've been keeping them covered up but I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to do. Is putting strong antiseptic liquid on them doing more harm than good? Am I supposed to keep them covered all the time? Such is my pitiful knowledge of first aid, lol. Advice, please.

Yeah I kinda think one of mine's infected too. And I have NO IDEA what to do...

Hi. Is the affected area warmer or hot to the touch ...as compared to unaffected areas? Try mixing 50% Hydrogen peroxide w/50% water.Pour it over the affected area..and repeatevry 4 hours... until it looks like it's getting better. If it get worse..and there is a foul smell present..go see your primary care Doctor as soon as you can.

Hope this helps ya'!

~Dottie

If it is infected, then you need to go to the doctor and get antibiotics. Topical stuff probably won't be enough, and the longer you wait the worse it can get. Infected wounds are not something you want to mess around with.

Infections. . .well, I had to jump in on this one. I'm a former paramedic, so maybe I can offer some advice for taking care of it. First of all, keep it clean. Secondly, take a ballpoint pen and draw a circle around the perimeter, if the redness extends past that tomorrow, you need to have it seen. If you have a fever, you need to be seen. If it smells rank, you need to be seen. Additionally, try some echinecia, which is a mild, herbal antibiotic. Might stave off a full blow infection.

Just on a side note, this past wed was my 1 year mark from my first surgical procedure to remove part of my thigh due to MRSA. For those of you who don't know, MRSA is your average flesh eating staph infection. The strain I have is even more unique. . .it is Vancomycin resistant, which means that their "mega super duper antibiotic" don't work for me. I didn't get my infection from cutting, but every cut I make now puts me at risk for more infection. I'd be a hypocrite to say, "oh don't do it" b/c I still do it, but if you're going to do it, take care of it. I order my particular implements from Gall's, which is a provider for paramedics. They are sterile, and one time use.

My two cents worth. . .

Infection is nothing to ignore. If there is pus present there is some infection in the wound. I would suggest having it seen by your doctor before it gets worse. Depending on how deep the wound is hydrogen peroxide can actually drive the infection deeper. Please get some medical help should it not heal quickly or if it gets worse. Take care of yourself.

silver......this has to be hard for you....your scared and wondering if it is infected.....but yet scared to go to a doctor and be judged for what you did....I fight the same problem.....and my MD knows everything about this and what I have been going through....but if mine would get infected I would be scared to even tell him...do you have someone you trust that you could get them to check it out and see if you need help?
thinking of you and wishing you the best

Hello again. Please let us know how you are coming along.

I hope your cuts are healing....
((((((((((((((((((Silver))))))))))))))))))))))

Well, the pus stuff has crusted over and I'm not interfering with it because I don't want to re-open the wound. It's not hot or painful but the very edges of the cut are red-rimmed. It's also itching, which I am taking as a sign of healing... so I don't know if it is infected or not. I don't want to go to the dr about it, especially since there has been an improvement in it, but it's not mending as fast I hoped it would.

Well...it sounds like it's healing. If the itching becomes intense...you can use ice to relieve the itching. Just keep it clean and you should be ok.

Glad to hear from you!!

~Dottie