What is a key indicator that wound healing is progressing well?

Reduced exudate and improved tissue color are significant indicators that wound healing is progressing well. As a wound heals, the amount of exudate, or fluid that leaks from blood vessels into the surrounding tissue, should decrease. This reduction signifies that inflammation is subsiding and that the body's natural healing processes are taking effect.

Additionally, improved tissue color indicates increased blood flow and oxygenation to the area, which is essential for tissue repair and regeneration. Healthy granulation tissue typically appears pink or red, and this color change reflects the presence of new blood vessels forming as part of the healing process. In contrast, options indicating increased pain, swelling, necrotic tissue formation, or constant drainage would generally point to complications or stalled healing rather than progress.