Which symptom might indicate an infection in a healing wound?

Increased local redness and warmth around a healing wound can be indicators of infection. When a wound is healing properly, it typically shows a gradual decrease in redness and swelling, and the surrounding tissue should feel cool to the touch. In contrast, if the healing process is accompanied by heightened redness and warmth, this suggests that the body is reacting to an infection. The presence of an infection can trigger an inflammatory response, which leads to the accumulation of immune cells and increased blood flow to the area, resulting in those classic signs of inflammation: redness, warmth, swelling, and pain. Recognizing these signs is crucial for early intervention and appropriate management of the wound to prevent more severe complications.