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Is Oozing Of Pus From Wound Post Treatment A Sign Of Infection?
Question: My husband smashed his finger at work and received medical attention. He ended up getting stitches and he goes to physical therapy. I have to change the bandages two times a day and he noticed it was ouzzy, but not really puss, around the nail bed. Could that be a sign of an infection?
Brief Answer:
not necessarily
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
sometimes oozing may be the result of swelling, which is normal for the first days after a serious injury. If there is no pus, no bright red skin, no worsening tenderness, there's probably no infection. A close look by your doctor is the best thing you can do about it. The pictures cannot substitute for the clinical examination.
What is the shining white thing on the tip of the injured finger? Is it a gauze? Was the bone injured too? Any fracture(s)?
not necessarily
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
sometimes oozing may be the result of swelling, which is normal for the first days after a serious injury. If there is no pus, no bright red skin, no worsening tenderness, there's probably no infection. A close look by your doctor is the best thing you can do about it. The pictures cannot substitute for the clinical examination.
What is the shining white thing on the tip of the injured finger? Is it a gauze? Was the bone injured too? Any fracture(s)?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The hand specialist put an artificial nail on the tip. (the white thing).
The bone was injured. As far as we know, the bone was just missing about 1/4 on the tip and a small chip lower in the tip. He goes back to physical therapy on Tuesday then back to the specialist Thursday to get the stitches removed. (I don't think it would be healed enough to be taken out though.)
The bone was injured. As far as we know, the bone was just missing about 1/4 on the tip and a small chip lower in the tip. He goes back to physical therapy on Tuesday then back to the specialist Thursday to get the stitches removed. (I don't think it would be healed enough to be taken out though.)
Brief Answer:
can't say for sure
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info.
I can't say for sure. Your description does not seem like an infection but I can't be sure. I suppose he's taking antibiotics anyway. Definite signs of infection include visible pus and fever. Reddening of the area and worsening swelling may be suggestive of infection.
Regarding stitch removal a few days are usually enough for young healthy individuals. Obviously the healing won't be complete by then, but the stitches are usually removed early to avoid excessive scarring and other local problems (including infections).
Kind Regards!
can't say for sure
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info.
I can't say for sure. Your description does not seem like an infection but I can't be sure. I suppose he's taking antibiotics anyway. Definite signs of infection include visible pus and fever. Reddening of the area and worsening swelling may be suggestive of infection.
Regarding stitch removal a few days are usually enough for young healthy individuals. Obviously the healing won't be complete by then, but the stitches are usually removed early to avoid excessive scarring and other local problems (including infections).
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
actually they did not give him any antibiotics.! should we have received any
Brief Answer:
most injuries don't require antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Most injuries do not require antibiotics and they usually heal without complications. In a patient with an open bone injury though (that is an injury with an open wound and an injured bone), I would have given antibiotics. The treating doctor is responsible to determine the necessity of antibiotic prophylaxis.
Kind Regards!
most injuries don't require antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Most injuries do not require antibiotics and they usually heal without complications. In a patient with an open bone injury though (that is an injury with an open wound and an injured bone), I would have given antibiotics. The treating doctor is responsible to determine the necessity of antibiotic prophylaxis.
Kind Regards!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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