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uk Health & medical scares red streaks from cut • spreading redness around wound • infected cut getting worse • hot swollen painful skin • cellulitis signs after cut • lymphangitis red line • wound infection tracking up • skin infection spreading fast • fever with wound infection • cut site warmth and swelling • rapidly expanding rash • pus or weeping from cut • infection after scratch • infected bite looks worse • diabetes and skin infection worry • immunocompromised wound infection • child cut looks infected • redness moving up limb • pain increasing around cut • streaking from wound site

What to do if…
you notice signs of a severe infection around a cut like spreading redness or streaking

Short answer

If redness is spreading or you see red streaks from a cut, get urgent same-day medical advice via NHS 111 (or an urgent GP appointment). If you seem seriously unwell or have possible sepsis warning signs, call 999 or go to A&E.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t “wait and see” if redness is spreading, streaking, or you’re getting unwell.
  • Don’t squeeze, cut into, or try to drain the wound yourself.
  • Don’t tightly wrap the area or smother it with thick/occlusive coverings unless a clinician has told you to.
  • Don’t take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics.
  • Don’t scrub hard with harsh chemicals (it can damage skin and make things worse).
  • Don’t ignore swelling around rings/watches on the affected limb—remove them early.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency warning signs (act immediately if present). Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have spreading infection plus any of these: difficulty breathing or breathing very fast, new confusion, you look/feel dangerously unwell, blue/grey/pale/blotchy skin (or a rash that does not fade when pressed), or the affected area is turning dusky/purple or blistering.
  2. If no 999/A&E signs: get urgent same-day help. Use NHS 111 (phone or online) and say: “spreading redness and/or red streaks from a cut” and whether you have fever, worsening pain, swelling, or pus. If your GP practice can offer an urgent same-day appointment, that’s also appropriate.
  3. Record what’s happening (helps triage and treatment).
    • Take your temperature (and note the time).
    • If safe to do, draw a line with a pen around the edge of the redness and write the time next to it (so you can tell if it’s spreading).
    • Take a clear photo in good light for comparison.
  4. Do basic, low-risk wound care (don’t overdo it).
    • Wash your hands.
    • Rinse the cut gently with clean running water; pat dry.
    • Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing. Change if wet/dirty.
  5. Reduce spread and complications while you’re arranging care.
    • Elevate the affected limb (if it’s on an arm/leg).
    • Rest; avoid tight clothing over the area.
    • Remove rings, watches, or tight jewellery from the affected limb.
  6. If you’re higher risk, escalate sooner. Tell NHS 111/GP urgently if any apply: diabetes, immune suppression (e.g., steroids/chemotherapy), pregnancy, very young child, the infection is on the face/around an eye, severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, or you have a bite (animal/human) or a contaminated wound.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether you’ll need tests, hospital treatment, or time off work—first step is being assessed promptly.
  • You don’t need to “deep clean” the wound repeatedly or apply multiple antiseptics.
  • You don’t need to figure out exactly what germ it is—focus on getting urgent clinical assessment.

Important reassurance

Noticing spreading redness or streaking is exactly the right moment to seek help. Many skin infections improve quickly once the right treatment is started, and acting early is the safest choice.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance for the next few hours. A clinician may advise antibiotics, wound care, monitoring, or hospital assessment depending on how you look and feel.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If symptoms are spreading or you feel significantly unwell, treat it as urgent and seek professional care now.

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