Bleeding After a Debridement: What’s Normal and What To Do

What to Expect in the First 12 Hours

It’s common to see a small amount of blood or pink drainage start to appear on the dressing within the first day after your procedure. This is usually just mild oozing from the surface of the wound or surrounding skin—not a sign of something going wrong.

We don’t send patients home with exposed arteries. If bleeding happens, it’s typically slow, surface-level bleeding from the tissue we cleaned. This is part of the normal healing process.

What To Do If You See Bleeding

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Reinforce the dressing

If the blood starts to show through the dressing, don’t remove it.
Just add another clean layer of gauze or dressing on top.
This helps soak up the drainage and adds gentle pressure.

2. Elevate your foot

Lie down and prop your foot above the level of your heart using pillows.
Stay like this for at least 30 minutes. Elevation helps reduce blood flow to the area and slows the bleeding naturally.

3. Hold pressure

Hold firm pressure over the bleeding area for 5 minutes.

Tips for the Rest of the Day

• Try to keep your foot elevated as much as possible throughout the day. The more time your foot is down, the more likely it is to ooze and swell.
• Avoid unnecessary walking, standing, or activity the same day
• FYI: If your legs are swollen, or if you’re on blood thinners like aspirin or warfarin, you may see more bleeding than average. That’s okay—just be extra diligent with elevation and firm pressure.
• If you see it bleed through again, as long as it’s slower than before then you can repeat the steps above.
  
  

When to Call the Office

Most minor bleeding can be managed at home. But please call us if:

• The blood soaks through multiple dressings in a short period of time
  
  
• You see blood dripping off the bandages
  
  
• You feel lightheaded, dizzy, or unwell
  
  
• You’re unsure or worried about what you’re seeing

We’re always here to support you through the healing process. Our clinic number 505-247-4164 also serves as a 24/7 hotline so we are available for emergencies.

Want to Learn More?

Why does leg swelling cause more bleeding?

Swelling (also called edema) means there’s extra fluid in the tissues. That extra fluid puts pressure on the tiny blood vessels, which makes it harder for them to seal up and stop bleeding. When your leg is hanging down, gravity makes it swell even more—so keeping it elevated helps both swelling and bleeding. Swelling can also stretch the skin and tissue, which makes it more fragile and likely to ooze.

How do blood thinners affect bleeding?

If you’re on a blood thinner—like aspirin, Plavix, Eliquis, Xarelto, or warfarin—it’s harder for your blood to form clots. That means you may bleed more easily and for longer than someone not on these medications. This doesn’t mean something is wrong; it just means you may need a bit more pressure and time to stop the bleeding. Always tell your provider if you’re taking any blood thinners so we can take that into account during and after your procedure.

Bottom Line

• Some bleeding is expected—don’t be alarmed.
  
  
• Reinforce the dressing, elevate, and hold pressure.
  
  
• If you’re ever concerned, give us a call at (505)247-4164
  
  

You’re doing the hard work of healing—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Author

Haywan Chiu