Infected Cut

You may think that a tiny little cut can't do you much harm, but you never know. Just a little ignorance in caring for the small cut can lead to the development of an infected cut, which can cause you more trouble than what you can ever imagine. You need to be particularly careful about deep cuts that are prone to getting infected, due to the damage caused to the inner layer of the skin. It is true that the human skin has the ability to heal on its own, but this may not be true in the case of all types of injuries. Most of us take it for granted that the cut will heal on its own and ignore it completely. This is a major reason why even minor cuts develop an infection.

Symptoms

When you get a cut and when the cut is still fresh, it will not pain you much and even so for not more than a couple of hours. If the cut starts paining, say two or three days later, it is considered to be a sign of an infected cut. A cut that is infected will appear red and swollen and the area around it will be warm and sometimes even hot. Red streaks can be noticed on the skin surrounding the cut and the skin here will also be tender to touch. If you see pus oozing out from the cut along with the other symptoms mentioned above, you can be sure that the cut is indeed, infected. Other symptoms include high fever, itchiness around the cut, boils or blisters around the cut, etc.

Treatment

A cellulitis infection can caused due the bacteria that gets accumulated at the site of the cut. Therefore, the first step that needs to be taken is to clean the wound following basic first aid procedures. You will need to use an antiseptic solution for this purpose. Pour some of the solution onto a clean cotton swab and gently clean the cut. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment on the cut and bandage it up so that it is protected from dust and germs that can worsen the infection. It will also protect the wound on leg for example, from coming in contact with clothes or shoes that can cause further irritation.

Home Remedy

Apart from the treatment mentioned above, some home remedies can also help cure and heal the cut quickly.

• Apply a mixture of turmeric and honey to the wound and cover it with a clean and sterile gauze. The antiseptic and antibacterial properties of turmeric and the soothing property of honey will help heal the cut.
• Dusting some turmeric powder on the cut can also help heal the infection.
• Grind some basil leaves, mix it with some honey and apply it to the infected wound for quick relief and healing of the cut.
• Once you know that the cut has started healing, apply some aloe vera gel to it to prevent scarring.

Once the cut starts healing, you will notice that scabs form around and over it. Do not pick on the scabs as this can lead to the cut getting infected again, this is an important tip for wound care. Allow it to fall off on its own so that the cut heals completely. If you see no improvement in the infected cut within two days, consult a doctor for treatment without any delay.