Question about infected scrape!?

Question:

I just recently fell and scraped my knee about four days ago and was unable to treat it until later because I was no where near home or any pharmacies, and had no treatments except bandaids... so for a few days it was dripping with yellow pus, but now it has stopped after I cleaned it, but now it just feels really sore around my knee and kind of swollen too. should I go see a doctor?? I have been putting neosporin on it and washing it with soap and water but I'm not sure of what else to do because it still hurts and I don't know how much longer to wait until to consult a doctor. I'd rather not have to resort to that, but it would be helpful if someone could give me some advice please. Thanks :)

Answers:
honestly, if it's been less than seven days you've been using the neosporin, i would try it until you hit seven days. if it's not clearing up or feeling better, you will need a dosage of antibiotics. most likely, it will clear up on it's own. if you're prescribed antibiotics, make sure you take them the entire length of treatment of the infection will return ten fold. good luck!

How deep? A big factor. If the redness is increasing it would not hurt to be seen. You do not want an infection to get into the actual joint.

However in saying that, it is not usual for abraisons on joints to be slow healing.

A good way to tell if your wound needs immediate attention is if the swelling and/or redness are getting worse. If the skin around the wound is bright red and hot to the touch and the red area is getting larger, you need to be seen right away. If it is red but hasn't gotten any worse in the last few days, you're probably okay to continue treating it at home for awhile. If you have been putting Neosporin on it and it is not improving in another 2-3 days, you should probably have your doctor look at it.

Whenever you injure tissue, there is some redness, tenderness and swelling. It is a normal inflammatory response your body uses to help protect the site and fight infection. Usually, this inflammatory stage starts to calm down after about 3 days. But, if those symptoms just keep getting worse or don't resolve after several days, it could mean that you have an infection. If that is the case, topical antibiotic ointment won't kill the germs that are inside the tissue. You'll need to take an oral (or injected) antibiotic prescribed by your doctor.

Question about infected scrape!?

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