Bandages that glow bright yellow if the wound underneath has been infected have been developed by British scientists.

    The invention is intended to give an early warning of injuries from burns or scalds* going septic* under the dressing*. Existing methods of detecting infections can take up to 48 hours to come through, as well as removing wound dressings, which can be painful and distressing. Removal of bandages can also cause scarring.

    The bandages — which also come in the form of plasters — are currently undergoing clinical trials with burns victims at four U.K. hospitals. The tests will establish statistically how sensitive the bandages are to infections, and how specifically they react to infections they are designed to detect.

    Cutting back infections has the potential of preventing overuse of antibiotics*, in turn leading to bacteria becoming drug resistant. Currently in cases of suspected infection precautionary* courses of antibiotics are often prescribed.

    The bandages work because they contain tiny “nanocapsules*” that contain fluorescent* dye. When they come into contact with chemicals produced by disease-causing bacteria, the capsules break open, releasing the dye. The capsules are not affected by ordinary bacteria found on the skin.

    If the trials demonstrate that the bandages are effective then manufacturing could begin as early as next year.(SD-Agencies)