Is Sloughy Tissue Bad?

Slough harbors pathogenic organisms, increases the risk of infection, and impedes healing by keeping the wound in the inflammatory phase or state; therefore, debridement methods are warranted. Exposing viable tissue will expedite the healing progress.

Should you remove slough from a wound?

Slough appears as a yellow or gray, wet, stringy substance on the wound that has been likened to mozzarella cheese on a pizza. Slough, which impairs healing and should be removed, needs to be distinguished from a fibrin coating, which does not slow healing and should be left in place.

What does it mean if a wound is Sloughy?

Slough refers to the yellow/white material in the wound bed; it is usually wet, but can be dry. It generally has a soft texture. It can be thick and adhered to the wound bed, present as a thin coating, or patchy over the surface of the wound (Figure 3). It consists of dead cells that accumulate in the wound exudate.