When might you suspect a puncture wound has become infected?

A puncture wound may be suspected to have become infected when the area shows signs of warmth and redness. These are classic indicators of inflammation, which can be a response to infection. When bacteria enter the body through a puncture wound, the immune system reacts, leading to an increase in blood flow to the area. This increased circulation causes the affected tissue to feel warm and appear red.

Detecting these symptoms is crucial for timely medical intervention, as untreated infections can lead to more serious complications. Other signs that may accompany infection include swelling, pain, and discharge.

The other responses do not indicate infection effectively. A decrease in pain might suggest healing or reduced irritation but does not inherently indicate an infection. Lack of swelling typically points to no infection or inflammation present. Normal skin color returning also suggests a healthy healing process rather than an infection.