Version July 2025
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What is a laceration infection? —
A laceration is a cut or tear anywhere on the skin. There are many ways a person might get a laceration. Some examples are:
●Stepping on something sharp, like glass
●Getting cut by a knife
●Getting hit by something so hard that the skin splits
If germs like bacteria get into the body through a laceration or other wound, it can cause infection. The infection might only affect the skin, or it might spread deeper into the body. When this happens, it can be serious if it is not treated.
A laceration is more likely to get infected if it:
●Is a tear with jagged edges
●Is deep, and the surrounding skin was also injured, like if the skin splits after being hit
●Has something in it, like a splinter, piece of glass, or dirt
●Is not completely washed out soon after the injury
●Is closed with stitches or staples
What are the symptoms of a laceration infection? —
Symptoms can include:
●The skin around the laceration looking red, purple, or darker than usual
●Swelling, warmth, or increased pain around the laceration
●Pus draining from the laceration – Pus usually looks like thick fluid that is yellow, green, or gray.
●A bad smell coming from the area
●Streaks on the skin going away from the laceration, or streaks going up the arm or leg
●Healing that is taking longer than expected or seems to have stopped – Most minor lacerations heal on their own within 7 to 10 days.
●Fever and chills
Will I need tests? —
It depends. For a minor infection, your doctor or nurse might just look at your laceration and ask about your symptoms. If they think that the infection could be more serious, you might also get tests. Tests can include:
●Imaging tests – These create pictures of the inside of the body. They include X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI. They can help your doctor see if you have an infection or other problem deep under your skin.
●Blood tests – These can help your doctor figure out if you have an infection.
●Wound culture – This is when the doctor takes a sample of cells from inside or near your laceration. Then, they can test it to check for germs. Knowing what type of germ is causing the infection helps them figure out how best to treat it.
How is a laceration infection treated? —
Treatment depends on the type of infection and how severe it is. If you think that your laceration might be infected, call your doctor or nurse right away.
If the affected area is large or if there are signs that the infection is deeper, your doctor will clean out the laceration and remove any infected fluid or tissue. If you have stitches or staples, the doctor will remove these first. In some cases, you might need surgery to make sure that all infected tissue is removed.
The infection is likely mild if:
●Only a small area of skin is affected.
●You do not have stitches or staples.
●A doctor treated your laceration when you were first injured.
●You do not have a fever or chills.
A mild laceration infection is typically treated with antibiotics. It is important to take all of your antibiotics even if you start to feel better.
Can laceration infection be prevented? —
The best way to prevent infection is to clean lacerations, and other wounds, as soon as possible. The longer you wait to clean a laceration, the more likely it is to get infected.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call your doctor or nurse if:
●The pain in and around your laceration gets much worse.
●There is a bad smell or pus coming from your laceration.
●You get a fever or chills.
●You notice a crunchy feeling or blisters in the skin around the laceration.
●The redness around your laceration gets bigger or is spreading up your arm or leg.
●Your swelling doesn't improve or gets worse.
Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
●You have a very fast heartbeat.
●You have trouble breathing or are breathing very fast.
●You feel confused, lightheaded, or dizzy.
●Your skin feels cool or clammy.
●You are urinating much less than usual.
These things can be signs of a serious problem called "sepsis." This can happen when an infection travels through the whole body.
Patient education: Surgical site infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Bacterial wound culture (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: How to change a dressing (The Basics)
Patient education: Stitches and staples (The Basics)
Patient education: Negative pressure wound therapy (The Basics)
Patient education: Sepsis in adults (The Basics)
