What should you know about wound infection antibiotics?

A healing wound may be tender and mildly red at first, but infection is more concerning when redness spreads, pain increases, the area becomes hot or swollen, pus appears, or you develop fever or feel unwell. A clinician considers the wound's cause, depth, location, contamination, and whether redness is extending into nearby skin. Antibiotics treat bacterial infection; they do not close a separated wound, remove trapped material, or replace cleaning and drainage. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of deeper skin layers that can develop around a wound and needs clinical assessment.

Take an antibiotic exactly as prescribed and complete the course unless the prescriber tells you to stop. Do not save doses for later, share them, or use leftover tablets from another illness. Keep the wound clean and covered as instructed, and attend any planned wound check. Tell the clinician about medicine allergies, pregnancy, kidney or liver problems, and all medicines you take. Contact the prescriber promptly if you have troublesome side effects, including a widespread rash, severe diarrhoea, or vomiting that prevents you taking the medicine.

Get urgent medical help if redness is rapidly spreading, pain is severe or escalating, there are red streaks from the wound, or you develop fever, shaking, confusion, dizziness, or marked weakness. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, widespread hives, or collapse after an antibiotic, as these can be signs of a serious allergic reaction. A wound that is deep, caused by a bite, contains debris, or has black or grey tissue should be assessed promptly rather than treated at home.

Ask what infection is being treated, how you should clean and dress the wound, and when improvement should be reviewed. Confirm whether a swab, drainage, stitch removal, or tetanus assessment is needed. Ask which medicine reactions require an urgent call and whether you should avoid any activities while the wound heals.