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Wound Warning Signs
A healing wound should improve day by day (getting smaller, less painful, less fluid). If you notice any of the changes below, the wound may be getting worse or infected â it needs medical evaluation.
1. Changes in the wound itself
- đ´ The area of redness is spreading
- đ´ More swelling
- đ´ The area feels warm or hot
- đ´ More pain
- đĄ Yellow-green or pus-like drainage
- đĄ A clearly stronger bad smell
- đ The wound is getting bigger or deeper
- âĢ Wound edges turning black (may mean dead tissue)
- đ´ Red streaks spreading outward from the wound (may be a sign of lymphangitis)
- đ A wound that had healed splits open again
2. Whole-body symptoms (be even more alert)
- đĄī¸ Fever or chills
- đĒ Feeling very tired or weak
- đ§ Confusion or a change in alertness
- 𩸠Unusually high blood sugar (for people with diabetes)
- đŊī¸ A clear loss of appetite
- â ī¸ Rapid worsening or feeling unwell all over
đĄ Key reminder: Pain, worsening redness and swelling, pus, bad smell, and fever are all warning signs that need medical evaluation. Blackening wound edges may mean dead tissue. This site does not offer self-diagnosis of infection â this checklist is only meant to help you spot problems early.
If the wound is worsening quickly, you have whole-body symptoms,
or you simply aren't sure â
seek medical evaluation.
Not sure how serious it is? See When to Seek Care to decide between the ER, same-day care, or a clinic visit.
or you simply aren't sure â
seek medical evaluation.
Not sure how serious it is? See When to Seek Care to decide between the ER, same-day care, or a clinic visit.
This content is general wound-care education. It cannot be used to judge the depth, infection, or treatment of an individual wound, and it cannot replace a doctor's examination.
Last updated: 2026-08-23