Infected Wound Conditions, Symptoms, & Treatments
A wound that becomes more painful, red, swollen, warm, or starts draining may be infected. Prompt professional evaluation can help identify the infection and determine what care is needed. If your wound is worsening, don’t wait for it to heal on its own.
Call San Gorgonio Wound Care Center at (951) 381-2122 or schedule an evaluation online.
Some infections need urgent hospital care
If you feel severely ill, become confused, have shortness of breath, fever, or have extreme pain along with a worsening infection, seek emergency medical care now. These can be signs of a medical emergency.
Wounds that can become infected
Infections can develop in many kinds of wounds, including:
Cuts, scrapes, punctures, and bites
Surgical incisions
Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores
Venous or arterial leg ulcers
Wounds that are deep, contaminated, or slow to heal
A wound infection may affect the skin around the wound or involve deeper tissue. Some infections form a pocket of pus, called an abscess. Our healthcare professionals can assess what is happening and recommend appropriate treatment.
Signs of a wound infection
Call San Gorgonio Wound Care Center promptly if you notice:
Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness
Pain that is getting worse
Pus, unusual drainage, or a bad odor
A red streak extending from the wound
Fever or chills
These signs can indicate an infection that needs immediate medical attention.
Why see a wound care specialist?
Wound infections can worsen, interfere with healing, and sometimes spread into deeper tissue. A specialist can examine and measure the wound, assess factors that may affect healing, and develop a care plan with you or your primary care provider.
Depending on the wound, care may include cleaning, a suitable dressing, professional removal of unhealthy tissue, infection management, or coordination with other medical providers.
What to do at home while arranging care
Home care can help protect a wound, but it does not replace an evaluation when infection is suspected.
Wash your hands before and after touching the wound or changing a dressing.
Keep the wound covered with a clean bandage and follow any care instructions you have received.
Don’t squeeze, cut, or try to drain the wound yourself.
Don’t start leftover medication or apply products unless a healthcare professional recommends them.
If you are unsure how to care for the wound, call a healthcare professional for guidance.
Schedule an infected wound evaluation
If your wound is worsening, draining, or showing signs of infection, contact San Gorgonio Wound Care Center to discuss an evaluation. Our team provides wound assessment and coordinates appropriate care with you or your primary provider based on the wound and your needs.
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For a wound infection, start with your primary care physician or visit an urgent care clinic for a fast evaluation and antibiotics.
For complex, deep, or non-healing wounds, see a wound care specialist that is certified by The American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery.
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You can tell if a wound is seriously infected by looking for local signs of worsening bacterial invasion—such as spreading redness, pus, and foul odor—along with systemic symptoms like a fever, chills, or swelling that continues to grow or hardens around the infection.
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Mild surface infections may often be managed with proper local hygiene, gentle cleaning, and over-the-counter antimicrobial ointments.
However, deep or spreading infections may require prescription oral or intravenous antibiotics to target bacteria that have penetrated deep tissue layers.
Our mission is to provide exceptional, compassionate, and patient-centered care. We are dedicated to healing, improving quality of life, limb preservation, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our patients. We value cross-specialty alignment to ensure the best outcomes.
Collaborative Care
Patient-Centered Goals
We work closely with referring physicians to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes.
Timely Communication
We provide regular updates on your patients' progress and promptly address any concerns.
Improved Quality of Life
Our goal is to help patients heal faster, reduce pain, and regain their mobility and independence.
Seamless Insurance
Our enrollment team verifies insurance, coordinates care transitions, and schedules the initial evaluation.
Dr. Shanna NewboldOur team is led by Dr. Shanna Newbold who is a board-certified emergency physician with more than 10 years of specialized wound care experience. She is one of very few providers certified by The American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery. Our group also consists of experienced mid level providers, wound techs and an Infectious Disease consultant. We have a passion for healing and wholeness.