88 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
INFECTED WOUNDS:
HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND TREAT THEM
A wound is infected if:
• it becomes red, swollen, hot, and painful,
• it has pus,
• or if it begins to smell bad.
The infection is spreading to other parts of the body if:
• it causes fever,
• there is a red line above the wound,
• or if the lymph nodes become swollen and tender. Lymph nodes—often called
‘glands’ — are little traps for germs that form small lumps under the skin when
they get infected.
Swollen lymph nodes behind the ear are a sign of an
infection on the head or scalp, often caused by sores or
lice. Or German measles may be the cause.
Swollen nodes below the ear and on the neck indicate
infections of the ear, face, or head (or tuberculosis).
Swollen nodes below the jaw indicate
infections of the teeth or throat.
Swollen nodes in the armpit indicate an infection of the
arm, head, or breast (or sometimes breast cancer).
Swollen nodes in the groin indicate an infection of the
leg, foot, genitals, or anus.
Treatment of infected wounds:
♦ Put hot compresses over the wound for 20 minutes 4 times a day. Or hold an
infected hand or foot in a bucket of hot water.
♦ Keep the infected part at rest and elevated (raised above the level of the heart).
♦ If the infection is severe or if the person has not been vaccinated against tetanus, use
an antibiotic like penicillin (see p. 351, 352) and also give metronidazole (p. 368).
WARNING: If the wound has a bad smell, if brown or gray liquid oozes out, or if the
skin around it turns black and forms air bubbles or blisters, this may be gangrene.
Seek medical help fast. Meanwhile, follow the instructions for gangrene on p. 213.