Comprehensive treatment for infected wounds—biofilm disruption, antimicrobial therapy, and systemic antibiotics.
Wound infections are a major barrier to healing and can lead to serious complications including sepsis, tissue death, and amputation. All chronic wounds contain bacteria, but infection occurs when bacterial load overwhelms the body's immune defenses. Effective infection management combines aggressive debridement, antimicrobial dressings, systemic antibiotics when needed, and biofilm disruption.
Local Signs
Systemic Signs
The cornerstone of infection management. Sharp debridement removes infected tissue, biofilm, and reduces bacterial load by 90% in a single session. Infected wounds often require debridement at every visit until infection resolves.
Silver, iodine, or PHMB-impregnated dressings kill bacteria on contact and prevent biofilm reformation. Silver dressings are effective against MRSA, Pseudomonas, and other resistant bacteria. Changed every 2-3 days for maximum effectiveness.
Reserved for wounds with spreading cellulitis, systemic signs of infection, or deep tissue involvement. Antibiotics are selected based on wound culture results when possible. Duration typically 7-14 days depending on infection severity.
Biofilm is a protective layer bacteria create that shields them from antibiotics and immune cells. Requires mechanical disruption through debridement combined with antimicrobial agents that penetrate biofilm. Wounds with biofilm won't heal until it's removed.
Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience:
Preventing infection is easier than treating it. Keep wounds clean and properly dressed. Change dressings as instructed. Maintain good blood sugar control if diabetic. Avoid touching wounds with unwashed hands. Never use tap water to clean wounds—only sterile saline. Report any signs of infection to your wound care team immediately.