Wound care: Red flags to look out for

Wounds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They happen when you experience a break or tear in the skin due to an accident, surgery or underlying health conditions, such as diabetes. Most minor wounds occur suddenly due to trauma, and heal over a few days to weeks - these are known as acute wounds. In some cases, wounds take a longer time to heal, or reappear quickly, and these are called chronic wounds. Either way, there are some key red flags to watch out for in the case of any type of wound. If any of these occur, it is a sign to seek medical advice on treatment, as this can help accelerate healing and prevent any long term problems. 

Red flag 1: Red, hot, swollen and painful wound

What it is

Is the wound red, hot, swollen and painful? While some level of pain is to be expected when the skin and surrounding tissue is damaged, ongoing or worsening pain, often coupled with swelling, heat, and spreading redness, could be a warning sign of infection and inflammation. 

What to do

Head straight to the doctor for a wound assessment. While some cases of pain and redness may be normal with the inflamed tissue, it can be a sign of a poor wound healing. A change in dressing type, or in some cases antibiotics, may be needed to treat any infection present. 

Red flag 2: Unpleasant smell

What it is

If the wound has a strange or unpleasant smell, this is usually a sign that the wound has become infected. If the odour is accompanied with pain, swelling, fever or a general unwell feeling, these may be further signs of infection that need to be addressed so the wound can heal. 

What to do

A doctor can assess the wound for infection and offer treatment. In the meantime, keep the wound clean using clean water, and avoid harsh cleaners that contain peroxide, iodine, alcohol or soap, as these may further irritate the wound and delay healing. Always wash your hands with soap and water before changing dressings, and ensure wet, loose or dirty dressings are changed as required. 

Red flag 3: White, yellow or brown discharge

What it is

Wounds will all have some degree of fluid drainage, but it’s important to know what’s normal and what’s a sign it is getting worse. Thick white, yellow or brown fluid may indicate bacteria has entered the wound and caused an infection. This can also lead to an unpleasant odour. 

What to do

It’s best to see your doctor if you have a thick and/or smelly wound discharge, as it likely needs medicated treatment. If you’re not sure if the discharge is normal or a sign of infection, always check with a healthcare professional to be sure. Keep the wound clean in the meantime using water and fresh dressings as advised by your doctor.  

Red flag 4: Slow-healing wound

What it is

Has the wound taken more than a month to heal? Slow healing wounds (chronic wounds) can become infected, get larger or cause more serious complications over time. Underlying conditions like diabetes or lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking may be the cause of delayed healing. 

What to do

If the wound is taking longer than a month to heal, you must seek medical advice. They may offer a range of treatments including medications, special wound dressings or even surgical options depending on the type and severity of the wound. 

Red flag 5: Fever, chills & other serious symptoms

What it is

Any untreated infection in a wound can spread to the bloodstream, causing a serious infection. If an infection spreads through the body, signs may include fever, chills, rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, nausea, and vomiting or diarrhoea.

What to do

Seek immediate medical attention for any fever, chills, and other serious symptoms that come on when you have a wound. This will likely need more serious treatment from your doctor to avoid serious complications. 

How long should a wound take to heal?

Normal, uncomplicated wounds usually take days to weeks to heal. It takes the body some time to go through the wound healing process, manage inflammation, then grow and rebuild tissue and skin to repair the site of the wound. 

Once the wound has closed up and looks healed, it will take some time for the body to strengthen the new tissue. This can cause an itching sensation for some people. If a wound is taking longer than a month to heal over, or there’s increasing pain, swelling, redness, thick discharge or odour, it’s best to see a doctor in case extra treatments or special dressings are needed to support the healing process. 

When should you see a doctor

It can be hard to tell if a wound is going through the healing process, or if it is getting worse. Some level of pain and discharge at the wound site is normal, as the body helps the area repair and heal. But if the wound isn’t improving, the pain is getting worse, or if any red flags appear, don’t hesitate to see a doctor for a wound assessment. There are a variety of wound dressings available, and each does a special job for different types of wounds. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information.

The bottom line

Most minor wounds will usually heal quickly without further complications. Wounds that heal slowly, cause significant pain or have any redness, swelling, odour, thick discharge, or associated fever or chills, are usually signs of a barrier to healing. Speak to a doctor sooner rather than later to be sure you are supporting your body to heal the wound as fast as it can. 

Reviewed by the Healthylife health experts April 2025.