Why is my cut getting more painful? A guide to recognizing potential problems

September 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 6 million Americans visit emergency rooms for cuts and lacerations each year. It is therefore a common concern to ask: Why is my cut getting more painful? While some discomfort is normal during healing, a sudden increase in pain can be a red flag. This guide provides clarity on what your body is trying to tell you.

Quick Summary

An escalating level of pain in a healing wound can indicate complications like a bacterial infection, worsening inflammation, or the presence of a foreign body, rather than simply being a normal part of recovery.

Key Points

Normal vs. Concerning Pain: Mild pain that decreases over time is normal for healing. Increased, throbbing pain is a sign that something is wrong.
Look for Infection Signs: Key indicators of infection include spreading redness, increased swelling, pus, and warmth around the wound.
Check for Other Issues: Besides infection, worsening pain can be caused by a foreign object, an allergic reaction, or trauma to the healing site.
Know When to See a Doctor: Seek immediate medical help for deep wounds, signs of infection like fever or red streaks, or worsening pain.
Proper Home Care is Crucial: For minor cuts, cleaning and dressing the wound correctly can prevent complications. Don't pick at scabs or disturb the wound.
Trust Your Instincts: If the pain feels disproportionate or if you have a general feeling that something is off with your wound, it's best to consult a healthcare professional.

The Normal Healing Process and Expected Discomfort

When you get a cut, your body immediately starts a complex and well-orchestrated healing process. This process has several stages, and some level of discomfort is to be expected. In the initial phase, your immune system rushes to the site, causing mild swelling, redness, and pain. This is a normal inflammatory response and should gradually subside over a few days. The pain should typically lessen as the wound heals, not increase. Therefore, if you find yourself wondering why is my cut getting more painful?, it's a good time to re-evaluate the wound's condition.

What the four stages of healing look like

Hemostasis (stopping the bleed): A clot forms to stop the bleeding. There may be some minor pain as the body responds.
Inflammation (the body's response): Blood vessels widen, allowing immune cells to access the area. This causes swelling, redness, and mild, manageable pain.
Proliferation (tissue rebuilding): New tissue is built to fill the wound. The pain should be minimal at this point, with some itching potentially occurring.
Maturation (scar remodeling): The new tissue strengthens. Pain is not typically a symptom of this final stage.

Recognizing the Signs of Infection

The most common reason for increasing pain in a cut is infection. A bacterial infection can occur when harmful microorganisms enter the wound and multiply. If your pain is worsening and is accompanied by other symptoms, it's time to be concerned. The key is to monitor for a cluster of signs, not just a single one.

Clear indicators of an infected wound

Increased or throbbing pain: The pain becomes more severe, persistent, and may feel like it's throbbing.
Spreading redness: The redness around the wound's edge starts to spread outwards and may form red streaks.
Excessive swelling: The area around the cut becomes increasingly swollen and hard to the touch.
Pus or drainage: The wound starts oozing thick, discolored fluid (pus), which may have a foul odor.
Warmth to the touch: The skin around the wound feels significantly warmer than the surrounding skin.
Systemic symptoms: You may also develop a fever, chills, or a general feeling of being unwell, which indicates the infection is spreading.

Other Potential Reasons for Worsening Pain

While infection is the primary concern, it isn't the only possible cause for a cut getting more painful. Several other factors can contribute to increased discomfort.

Foreign Body: A small piece of dirt, a splinter, or another object could be lodged in the wound, causing persistent irritation and pain. If you didn't properly clean the wound initially, this is a distinct possibility.
Allergic Reaction: An adverse reaction to a bandage, adhesive, or an antibiotic ointment can cause irritation, itching, and heightened pain. This is often accompanied by a rash or localized skin irritation.
Trauma to the Healing Area: Bumping the cut, stretching the skin, or repeatedly disturbing the wound can re-injure the delicate healing tissue, restarting the inflammatory process and causing renewed pain.
Hematoma or Abscess: A collection of blood (hematoma) or pus (abscess) can form beneath the skin. As this pocket grows, it puts pressure on surrounding nerves, leading to intense and localized pain. This is different from normal inflammation.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Knowing when to transition from home care to professional medical help is critical. Don't wait for all symptoms to appear before calling your doctor. It's always better to be safe and seek a professional opinion. You should see a doctor immediately if:

The cut is getting more painful despite home care.
The pain is accompanied by a fever or chills.
You see red streaks extending from the wound.
You notice pus or foul-smelling drainage.
You suspect a foreign object is in the wound.
The wound is deep, caused by a puncture, or from an animal bite.

Home Care vs. Professional Medical Intervention

Understanding the difference between what you can manage at home and what requires a doctor's visit is essential for proper wound care and for understanding why is my cut getting more painful.


Feature	At-Home Care	Professional Medical Intervention
Wound Condition	Minor scrapes, shallow cuts, minimal bleeding, signs of normal healing.	Deep cuts, excessive bleeding, signs of infection, foreign objects present, animal bites.
Pain Level	Mild to moderate, gradually decreasing pain.	Increasing, throbbing, or severe pain.
Signs of Infection	None present.	Increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaks, fever.
Recommended Action	Clean the wound, apply an antibiotic ointment, cover with a clean bandage, and monitor.	See a doctor for diagnosis, potential prescription antibiotics, professional cleaning, or other medical treatment.

For more information on general wound care, you can visit a reputable source like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines here.

Conclusion

An increase in pain from a cut is not something to be ignored. While some discomfort is part of the normal healing process, a sudden worsening of pain is a clear signal that something is wrong. By understanding the signs of infection and other potential complications, you can effectively monitor your wound and make an informed decision about when to seek professional medical advice. Proper wound care is the best way to prevent complications and ensure a smooth recovery. Always trust your instincts when it comes to your health; if a wound feels wrong, it likely is.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not normal for a cut to become significantly more painful after the first day. Mild, gradual pain that subsides is typical. Increasing or throbbing pain is a sign of a potential issue like an infection and warrants closer monitoring.

Normal inflammation causes localized redness and swelling that lessens over time. An infection will cause redness that spreads outwards, along with increased swelling, pain, warmth, and potentially pus. A fever is a strong indicator of a spreading infection.

Yes, a foreign body like a splinter or a piece of dirt can cause persistent irritation and increased pain. If you suspect something is in the wound, and it's small, try to gently remove it. If it's deep or difficult to remove, see a doctor.

If a cut becomes more painful even after a scab has formed, it could be a sign of an abscess or infection developing underneath the scab. Do not pick or remove the scab, but do watch for other signs like swelling or pus.

First, gently clean the area with mild soap and water. Dry it, apply a new, clean bandage, and avoid disturbing the wound. If the pain continues to worsen or is accompanied by other signs of infection, contact a doctor.

Yes, an allergic reaction to the adhesive on a bandage can cause irritation, redness, itching, and increased discomfort. If you suspect this is the case, switch to a hypoallergenic bandage and see if the pain subsides.

You should be concerned if the pain is severe, throbbing, or worsens significantly over 24-48 hours. Any accompanying fever, spreading redness, or pus are also serious red flags that indicate a need for medical attention.