What should you know about cellulitis in the wrist?

A break in the skin from a cut, puncture, bite, scrape, burn or irritated nail fold can let bacteria enter near the wrist. The skin may become warm, red, swollen and painful, with stiffness caused by surrounding swelling. Redness can track toward the hand or forearm. A wound near a joint, tendon or implanted material deserves careful examination because infection may extend beyond surface skin. Athlete's Foot is another possible source of skin cracks, while Type 2 Diabetes can affect healing.

Seek prompt medical advice for new or worsening wrist redness, warmth, swelling or pain. Remove rings, bracelets and watches before swelling increases, elevate the hand when resting, and keep any wound clean and covered as instructed. Do not squeeze a bump, puncture the skin or use leftover antibiotics. Mention animal or human bites, puncture wounds, recent injections and reduced movement. Take prescribed treatment exactly as directed and return if the area continues to expand.

Get urgent help for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, numbness, inability to move the wrist or fingers, red streaks up the arm, fever, shaking, confusion, faintness or severe weakness. A deep hand or joint infection can threaten function, and whole-body illness can indicate Sepsis. Do not delay because the initial skin change looks small.

Ask whether the joint, tendon or hand is involved, whether a wound needs cleaning or drainage, how much movement is safe, and what signs mean the treatment is not working.