Sanguineous drainage that persists or gets worse may be a sign of a hemorrhage.

This
occurs when deeper tissues below the surface of the skin are damaged and an artery or
vein is cut.

If an artery is cut, the blood may appear bright and spurt out of the wound. If a vein is
damaged, the blood may be a deeper red and come out steadily.

Small wounds that hemorrhage can be managed by applying direct, firm pressure with
a clean cloth. Once the wound closes and the bleeding stops, the area will need to be
cleaned and treated, then covered up.

Large or deep wounds that hemorrhage often need treatment from a doctor. If the
bleeding cannot be easily controlled, emergency services should be contacted. Anyone
who is uncertain about the severity of a wound should seek medical attention.

Serous drainage

Serous drainage is composed mainly of plasma. It is often thin and watery and will
usually have a clear to yellowish or brownish appearance. Small amounts of serous
drainage are normal during the first stages of healing.

Continuous serous drainage may be a sign that there are high levels of bacteria living
on the surface of the wound. In these cases, the body is producing extra serum to try
and combat the bacteria. Anyone experiencing excessive serous drainage should see a
doctor.

Purulent drainage

While the other common types of drainage are normal to see during the healing
process, purulent drainage is not. Purulent drainage is a strong indicator that the
wound is infected.
Purulent drainage often appears as a liquid with a slightly thicker, milk-like texture.
The color of purulent drainage may vary from a grayish-yellow to green or brown.

Purulent drainage is caused by the number of living and dead infectious cells in the
area, as well as the body sending white blood cells in to fight off the infection.

As the infection gets worse, the amount of discharge will often increase. Purulent
drainage requires a trip to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Seropurulent drainage

As the name suggests, seropurulent drainage is a combination of serous drainage and

purulent drainage. It occurs when clear serous drainage becomes tinged with a milky
fluid of varying color, similar to that of purulent drainage.

Seropurulent drainage may be an early sign of an infection, but it may also be a sign
that an infection is clearing. Anyone experiencing seropurulent drainage should have a
doctor diagnose their wound.

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