What Is Wound Exudate

Exudate consists of fluid and leukocytes that move to the site of injury from the circulatory system in response to local inflammation. This inflammatory response leads to blood vessel dilatation and increased permeability, resulting in increased production of exudate.

What does wound exudate look like?

It is thin, pink, and watery in presentation. Purulent drainage is milky, typically thicker in consistency, and can be gray, green, or yellow in appearance. If the fluid becomes very thick, this can be a sign of infection.

What is considered normal wound exudate?

Clear/amber—serous exudate, often considered “normal,” but may be associated with infection by fibrinolysin-producing bacteria such as Staphyloccocus auerus; may also be due to fluid from a urinary or lymphatic fistula. Cloudy/milky—may indicate the presence of fibrin strands or infection.