An absorbent article that contains a substrate treated with a decolorizing composition that can discharge the color of bodily exudates is provided. More specifically, a boundary zone located at the periphery of the substrate is treated with the decolorizing composition. Thus, when the substrate is incorporated into an absorbent article, the decolorizing composition may help discharge color at the edges of the article where leakage is most likely to occur. An interior zone of the substrate, however, is left substantially untreated with the decolorizing composition. This enables a user to observe and inspect the bodily exudates for infection or other health related conditions, and also allows the decolorizing composition to be applied only to those portions of the substrate needed to achieve the desired effect so that the untreated zone can continue to fulfill its other functions.
