Is this a skin infection?

I had a small area of skin that previously had cellulitis. That infection healed after anti-biotics and the doctor confirmed it cleared. That was about a month ago. However, about 3 days ago i ended up getting a very small scratch in that same area. It was not deep at all, in fact it looks like only a few layers of skin were broken but did go deep enough to draw blood originally but no longer bleeding nor does there appear to be any scab. There is no strange discoloration other than what was left with the cellulitis. There is very little, almost no new inflammation, but the actual scratch is draining small amounts of fluid.





Is this a new infection? Or this area of the skin just still overreacting to the previous infection?

Is this a skin infection?
it could be a new infection, better go to the doctor to check it
Reply:Usually you can tell if there is an infection if the area is red, and painful.


If the fluid coming out is clear, then you are fine. But if it starts to turn white, or another colour, it is infetced.


Keep the area clean and dry, and if it doesn't heal within a few days, see your Dr. again.


A cream from the drug store may help , ask the Pharmacist for a salve for cuts ect.
Reply:if the area around the scratch turns red or is painful to touch then go to the doctor because it is infected.
Reply:Hmm... kind of odd. Draining is a sign of infection but kind of strange that there is almost no inflammation. If there is also no pain, I would kind of go against the idea that it is infected. The body sometimes drains fluid as a precaution during the healing process to clean the wound or immediately after the infection. This happens very often after popping a pimple for example. However it also leaves open a door for bacteria to invade.


It is possible you may have a very minor new infection involving the the very top layer of the skin. In that case it is unlikely to cause pain or inflammation, but the body may still be fighting it.





If that is the case it shouldn't be much of a problem anyway. Best thing to do is keep the area very clean, give it air when possible, and try not to irritate it. Let the body heal the wound. You can also try giving some heat and some neosporin. It should go away by itself in 1-2 weeks.





It has only been three days right now so that isnt close to enough time to heal. Id give it at least a week and if it doesnt look better or if it looks worse, then ask a doctor.
Reply:It sounds like what you are saying is an area where you had cellulitis that has not quite healed yet has received a new scratch. I would keep a close eye on it and put on topical antibitic ointment. If it looks red or gets warm have it checked out.

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