What if there is drainage and discoloration on my bandage when I change it?Updated 7 months ago

- When a wound is just starting to heal, it is normal to see some fluid drainage on the bandage. This fluid is typically a clear yellow-ish color, and it may be tinged with a little old blood and shed tissue (which may look rusty or light brown in color). 

- The amount of drainage normally decreases over time as the wound progresses through its healing stages.

- Some types of bacteria can cause a blue-green, or yellow-green color to appear on the bandage as they die. Take note of this, and also look for this color to decrease with each bandage change. If it continues for more than a few days and you have other signs of infection (such as increasing redness, pain, swelling, drainage, irritation, warmth, or the wound is increasing in size), please contact your healthcare professional.

- If the drainage changes in color to whitish yellow (i.e. pus) this may be a sign of infection; please contact your healthcare professional.