Soft Tissue Infection: From Causes to Treatment

Soft Tissue Infection: From Causes to Treatment

Soft tissue infection is a serious problem that can lead to many dangerous complications.

Causes:

• Wounds or injuries to the soft tissue, especially those that cause hematomas, are favorable conditions for bacterial growth.

• The most common bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus, followed by anaerobic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc.

Progression:

Soft tissue infection goes through four stages:

1. Stage of inflammation (5-7 days):

• High fever, swelling, heat, redness, and pain are prominent symptoms.

• Surgery should be avoided as it will break the barrier preventing bacteria.

• Effective medical treatment can prevent abscess formation.

2. Stage of pus formation:

• Symptoms of swelling, heat, redness, and pain gradually decrease.

• Inflamed tissue gradually deepens, and the border becomes clearer.

• Signs of “fluctuation” can be seen.

• Never heals on its own.

3. Stage of pus rupture:

4. Stage of scar healing:

Treatment in stage 1:

• Systemic: Broad-spectrum antibiotics for 7-10 days.

• Local: Sterile gauze bandage around the inflamed area, then pour 70% alcohol to wet, 10 minutes/time, 1-3 times/day.

Principles of incision and drainage of abscess:

• Drainage to the outside or natural cavity communicating with the outside.

• Incision wide enough, at least equal to the diameter of the abscess.

• Drainage at the lowest point of the abscess when the patient is lying down.

• Disrupting the recesses of the abscess by hand and cleaning most of the necrotic tissue.

• Do not peel or break the wall of the abscess.

• Drainage tube large enough, preferably with silicon coating for deep abscesses.

• Leave the skin completely open for shallow abscesses, do not use drainage.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only. For further information and effective treatment, please consult a specialist doctor.