Service
Wound Infections & Cellulitis Wound care in Plano, TX
An infected wound is one where bacteria have moved from the surface into the tissue, causing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, or odor. When the infection spreads into the surrounding skin it is called cellulitis. Wound infections can slow healing for weeks and, if left alone, spread to deeper tissue or bone. Knowing the signs and getting the wound evaluated early is the best protection.
How We Treat It
A care plan built around wound infections & cellulitis
Dr. Rizvi examines the wound and the skin around it, checks how far the redness extends, and looks for signs of deeper infection. When infection is suspected, a tissue culture is taken after the wound is cleaned, so antibiotic choice is guided by the organism rather than guesswork, in line with IDSA skin and soft-tissue infection guidance. Dead or infected tissue is debrided, the wound is dressed to control drainage, and follow-up is scheduled to confirm the infection is responding. Patients with diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system are watched especially closely, and signs of a severe or spreading infection are sent straight to the emergency room.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Rizvi
What's in the Plan
- Same- or next-day evaluation for a wound that looks infected
- Tissue cultures to guide antibiotic choice
- Debridement of infected and dead tissue
- Checks for deeper infection, including bone involvement
- Closer follow-up for patients with diabetes or poor circulation
- Telemedicine check-ins between visits when appropriate
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of an infected wound?
Watch for redness that spreads outward, warmth, swelling, increasing pain, pus or cloudy drainage, a bad smell, or a wound that suddenly gets bigger. Fever or chills suggest the infection may be spreading. A wound with any of these signs should be evaluated promptly.
What is the difference between cellulitis and a wound infection?
A wound infection involves the wound itself. Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the tissue just under it, and it can start from a wound, a crack in the skin, or an insect bite. The two often happen together, and both need prompt treatment. Our comparison guide on cellulitis vs wound infection explains the differences in more detail.
When should I go to the ER instead of the clinic?
Go to the emergency room for fever with rapidly spreading redness, red streaks moving up the limb, severe pain out of proportion to the wound, skin that turns dark or blisters, confusion, or feeling very ill. Those can be signs of a serious infection that needs hospital care.
Can you treat cellulitis if I do not have an open wound?
Call the office to describe your symptoms. The team will tell you whether a clinic visit, your primary care doctor, or urgent care is the right place to start, and will book a same- or next-day visit when the clinic is the right fit.
Ready to talk about wound infections & cellulitis?
Same- or next-day appointments. Telemedicine available. Most insurance accepted — call to verify your plan.