How to Recognize Wound Infections Early: Signs
& When to Get Help
When a wound won’t heal, or suddenly gets worse, it may not just be slow healing. It could be infected. According to the CDC, up to 30% of hospitalized diabetic foot infections lead to amputation. And in South Texas, the risk is even greater for those managing diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy.
At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we specialize in catching infections early, before they escalate into deep-tissue damage or limb loss. This guide walks you through the key warning signs, what normal healing should look like, and when to seek help from our physician-led team.
Why Early Infection Detection Matters
Even a small scratch or blister can spiral into something serious if bacteria enters the wound. Once infection sets in, it can:
● Delay healing
● Spread to nearby skin (cellulitis)
● Cause tissue breakdown or necrosis
● Lead to systemic illness or sepsis
● Result in hospitalization or amputation
The earlier you recognize the signs and start treatment, the better your outcome.
7 Early Signs of Wound Infection You Should Never Ignore
1. Redness That Spreads
Mild redness is common, but if you see redness extending outward from the wound, especially in streaks or blotches, it’s a red flag.
This may indicate cellulitis, an infection of the deeper skin layers.
2. Increased Pain
Most wounds get less painful as they heal. If your pain is:
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Growing day-to-day
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Throbbing, burning, or pulsing
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Worse than it was at first
… it could mean bacteria is irritating the tissue or nerves.
3. Swelling or Warmth
Localized swelling or warmth (compared to the other limb) may suggest your immune system is fighting infection in the area.
Check both legs or arms to compare!
4. Thick Discharge or Pus
Normal wound drainage may look clear or slightly yellow.
Thick, cloudy, or green/yellow fluid with a bad smell means pus, and pus means infection.
Pus is made of dead white blood cells and bacteria, your immune system is under attack.
5. Foul Odor
Wounds that smell sour, fishy, or rotting are often infected. Even after cleaning, odor should not persist.
6. Fever, Chills, or Fatigue
If you’re feeling sick, especially if you’ve had a wound for more than a week, it may be spreading beyond the skin.
Watch for:
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Fever > 100.4°F
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Night sweats
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Nausea or lightheadedness
7. No Healing Progress After 10 Days
If a wound doesn’t improve after 10–14 days, or suddenly worsens, it may have become infected.
This is especially true if you have:
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Diabetes
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Neuropathy (loss of sensation)
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Poor circulation or PAD
Local Risk: Why San Antonians Need to Stay Vigilant
South Texans are more likely to wear sandals or go barefoot, especially during warm months.
This increases exposure to:
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Yardwork injuries
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Concrete burns
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Minor scrapes that go unnoticed
If you have reduced feeling in your feet, you might not even notice a wound until infection is well underway.
Normal Healing vs. Infection: What’s the Difference?
Normal Healing
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Light redness around edges
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Gradual decrease in pain
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Clear drainage
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Gradual wound closure
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No fever
Signs of Infection
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Redness spreading or radiating
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New or worsening pain
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Thick yellow/green pus
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No progress or sudden worsening
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Fever or chills
Who’s at Higher Risk of Infection?
Infections progress faster, and more dangerously, in people with:
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Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
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Venous insufficiency
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Neuropathy
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Autoimmune conditions
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Smoking history
If you fall into one of these groups and have any of the above signs, call us immediately.
How Hill Country Treats Wound Infections
We don’t wait for infections to get worse. Our on-site, outpatient care includes:
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Expert Evaluation: Our board-certified providers assess every wound at every visit.
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Advanced Dressings: Antimicrobial and moisture-balanced to fight bacteria and protect tissue.
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Ultrasonic Mist Debridement: Gentle removal of dead tissue without scraping or pain.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): Used in qualified cases to boost immune response, improve oxygenation, and fight resistant infections.
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Culture-Guided Treatment: When needed, we swab your wound to identify the bacteria and prescribe targeted antibiotics.
We also help manage underlying issues, like blood sugar control or circulation, so the infection doesn’t come back.
When to Book an Infection Check Appointment
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You notice redness, odor, pus, or worsening pain
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Your wound is older than 10 days with no improvement
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You’ve recently had a procedure or trauma
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You’re high risk and worried something feels off
We offer same-week appointments at:
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📍 Live Oak 📍 SW San Antonio 📍 Bulverde
You’ll always be seen by a provider who specializes in chronic wound care. At Hill Country, we believe no one should lose a limb to a treatable infection. Our job is to catch issues early, treat them quickly, and help you avoid the ER or hospital. Don’t wait!
Internal Resources You Can Explore
To learn more about Diabetic Foot Ulcer care, explore our core educational content:
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what’s normal healing and what’s a warning sign? The FAQs below explain early signs of wound infection, how to tell “normal” from “not normal,” when symptoms require same-day care, safe steps you can take at home (and what to avoid), and who’s at higher risk in South Texas. If you have diabetes, PAD, or neuropathy, or your wound hasn’t improved within 10–14 days, don’t wait. Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics offers same-week evaluations in Live Oak, Bulverde, and SW San Antonio. Call (210) 626-8201.
Watch for spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth or swelling, thick/yellow-green drainage or pus, a persistent foul odor, fever or chills, and no healing progress after 10–14 days. Any one of these is a reason to call a wound-care specialist in San Antonio.
Normal healing: mild redness at the edges, decreasing pain, and light/clear drainage that lessens over time.
Possible infection: redness that expands, throbbing/worsening pain, warmer skin than the other limb, thick/cloudy drainage with odor, or new swelling. If you’re unsure, have it checked.Get same-day medical attention if you notice red streaks, rapidly spreading redness, foul odor with pus, fever (≥100.4°F), sudden worsening pain, black/dark tissue, or you have diabetes/PAD/neuropathy and the wound isn’t improving within a few days.
You can gently cleanse and cover the wound, limit pressure on the area, and keep blood sugars in target if you have diabetes—but don’t rely on home care if infection is suspected. Avoid “bathroom surgery” or harsh chemicals. Call a specialist for evaluation and culture-guided treatment.
Higher risk: diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), venous insufficiency, neuropathy, autoimmune conditions, and smoking history. Warm weather, sandals, and barefoot exposure add risk locally. Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics offers expert evaluation, advanced dressings, ultrasonic mist debridement, HBOT (when appropriate), and culture-guided antibiotics at Live Oak, Bulverde, and SW San Antonio. Call (210) 626-8201 for a same-week appointment.