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There are different types of wound drainage. The look and color of the fluid draining from your wound may be an indication of something bigger. Let’s say you have an open wound. Do you see anything other than bright red blood draining from the sight? When you see pale red drainage, or a mixture of blood and a clear liquid, this could indicate serosanguinous drainage. This type of drainage isn’t normally something that you need to worry about, but we’re going to discuss it further in this article.
If you see drainage of another color, it may indicate infection. Preparing yourself with the knowledge of the different looks and colors of wound drainage will help you figure out if and when you need to see a wound care doctor.
In this article we’re going to talk to you about all types of wound drainage, including serosanguinous drainage. We’ll let you know what each looks like and when to call a doctor if you see it. At the end we’ll introduce you to Wound Care OC, a wound care specialty office in Orange County, California.
Drainage color and texture can vary. Here are some ways drainage might look:
This type of drainage is thin, runny, and the consistency of water. In color, this type of drainage will usually be light red or pink, but, in some cases, it can also be clear. This type of drainage gets its appearance from the amount of clotted red blood that gets mixed with serum.
Serosanguinous drainage may be the result of damaged capillaries. But what do we mean by damaged capillaries? First of all, capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in our bodies and are therefore easier to damage than other cells. When a wound is large in surface area it’s likely to produce serosanguinous drainage because when blood capillaries are close to the skin’s surface those capillaries are prone and therefore more likely to be injured when dressings are changed or the wound is bumped.
Serous drainage is also known as serum. It appears as a clear and thin liquid. This type of drainage is usually present when a wound has been in the healing process for a prolonged period and is still red and inflamed. Serous drainage should never be excessive; this could signal a flood of unhealthy bacteria to the wound.
When serum is clear or blood-tinged it’s an indication that the wound is healing properly. Other types and colors of drainage aren’t normal and indicate a serious complication that will require your immediate attention.
If you’ve noticed any of these types of drainage It’s important to visit with a wound care specialist who will be able to determine why the wound is abnormal and what can be done to treat the complications.
This type of wound drainage occurs in deeper wounds. That’s because deeper wounds involve thick layers of skin and tissue. It’s marked by blood that is thicker and redder than you’d expect.
If it’s been several days and red blood is still leaking from the wound, this may be a sign that the wound was further damaged in some way. It could be a matter of you being too active or of the wound not being properly dressed from the beginning.
This occurs when sanguineous drainage flows from the wound without stopping or slowing down. This signals a hemorrhage, which occurs when there’s damage to an artery or vein.
If an artery was ruptured you’ll see bright red blood spurting from the wound. In the case of a ruptured vein you’ll see dark red blood that steadily trickles from the wound.
You may be able to treat a wound with hemorrhagic drainage on your own if the wound is small or shallow. You’ll simply apply pressure directly onto the wound using a clean cloth or bandage. Once you’ve gotten the bleeding under control, clean the wound, apply antibiotic cream, and cover it with a sterile bandage.
In the case of a deeper wound with a large surface area, you’ll probably need to see a wound care specialist. Your wound care doctor will let you know if the wound requires stitches or serious attention of another kind.
Visit your local walk-in clinic or emergency room if bleeding can’t be controlled.
This type of drainage is very visibly wrong. It occurs when a milky substance is leaked from the wound. It may be yellow, gray or even green. This type of thick drainage is known as purulent drainage, and it may be a good indication of infection. Purulent drainage gets its thickness from microorganisms and decaying bacteria that have entered the wound. Your white blood cells have attempted to penetrate the wound but the bacteria won out. Another indicator of purulent drainage is a strong smell. If you feel this is what’s happened to your wound, visit a wound care specialist as soon as you can.
When serum is anything other than clear it could be a sign of infection. This type of drainage is also milky in color and texture. It can occur when an infection is clearing up but a doctor should still take a look to make sure healing is being done properly.
When looking at drainage as an indicator that you should see a doctor, it’s not only appearance that should be of concern. The amount of fluid leaking from the wound is also incredibly important. As an example, if your drainage is of the hemorrhagic type you’ll need immediate attention from a wound care specialist. So keep your eye on how much drainage is leaking.
Another important thing to mention is that wounds with drainage that is purulent or seropurulent will always require medical attention. It doesn’t matter how slowly the wound oozes.
If you notice drainage of any type after surgery wound contact your wound care specialist.
At-home wound care is possible for most first-degree and second-degree burns, but third-degree burns require a doctor’s insight. Here are some at-home remedies that may be useful:
There are also various old wives tales floating around in the world of burn protection. These remedies not only don’t work, they may be detrimental to your wound. Here are some “cures” to leave alone:
Dr. Faried Banimahd is a board-certified physician specializing in emergency medicine, wound care, and pain management. Our team will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that meets your needs and unique conditions. Our clinic includes highly trained and experienced physicians, registered nurses, and certified medical staff who work together to provide you with the highest standards of wound care treatments.
We at Wound Care OC are committed to helping you overcome any chronic and non-healing wound, with an easy recovery.
(949) 347-8721
1533 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
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