Accidents happen all the time, from your childs latest boo-boo to a co-workers on-the-job injury to slicing your finger while chopping veggies, so knowing how to stop the bleeding is key. Mark Reiter, MD, American Academy of Emergency Medicine. For a small, minor wound, this attack usually wipes out most of the bacteria, but sometimes everyday activities can reintroduce more. Once you know your spot is a harmless cherry angioma, you might be tempted to snip it off at home. Get to the bathroom before your morning meeting and dab the cut with a tissue (assuming, of course, the bleeding has stopped by the end of your commute). Some bleeding cuts require medical care that you cant provide at home. Last medically reviewed on August 21, 2019, A cut finger can happen quickly and without warning. If you want the most efficient way to stop your shaving cuts from bleeding, keeping a styptic pencil on hand is probably your best bet, says Dr. Mercurio. (2017). One of the benefits of Hydro Seal is that it prevents scabbing by sealing the wound, explains Cettina. If the injury has caused serious skin damage, you may need a skin graft. Help the person to remain calm. Why You Bleed So Much All Rights Reserved. You could try applying coffee grounds or a cooled-off tea bag to your cut. Add another layer if blood soaks through the cloth or pad. After putting on clean latex gloves, apply firm pressure to the wound with a folded cloth or bandage for about 10 minutes. First, wash your hands If the cut is small, first head to the nearest sink and wash your hands to prevent spreading infection to the open wound, according to the Mayo Clinic. Youre in a rush to get to work when suddenly all hell breaks looseon your face, that is. Pus (yellowish liquid) oozing out of the wound. If the cut is small, wash it out with soap and water. Bleeding serves a useful purpose because it helps to clean out a wound. Smearing on a little ChapStick or Vaseline works like a sealplus it'll keep bigger cuts from forming unsightly scabs. If youd like, use a nasal spray in the bleeding nostril while the person holds their head still. A styptic, by definition, is a substance that stops bleeding.Aluminum sulfate, a naturally occurring mineral, is the usual active ingredient in this line of products, she says. All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. "It's important that you are applying antibiotic ointment to the wound after it stops bleeding to prevent an infection," says Dr. Zeichner. Director, Global Wound Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. May the Strip Be With You: 5 Questions for the Designer Behind the New Star Wars BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages, J&J Fun Facts: 7 Things You May Not Know About BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages, Contract & Freelance Partner Opportunities, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Microbiome Researcher Jeffrey Gordon Receives the 2022 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, 2 Big Ideas to Help Lower the Risk of Maternal-Fetal Complications in BIPOC Women. Keep the wound uncovered, but as clean as possible, once it has closed. You've heard of a cold shower. An old, dull blade combined with a less-than-stellar shaving technique can cause cuts to happen more frequently. Use one of these Mens Health-approved chapsticks, or good old-fashioned petroleum jelly, to stop up your shaving cut.Anything that seals the cut will enable it to clot faster and stop bleeding, says Dr. Mercuio. Sure, a nick on your fragile cheeks might not be as painful as razor burn or as annoying as ingrown hairs, but it will have you cursing the very act of shaving when another clean white shirt falls victim to a cut that wont close. (2015, March 29), youngwomenshealth.org/2012/07/30/cuts-and-scrapes/, mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-nosebleeds/basics/art-20056683, mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-severe-bleeding/basics/art-20056661, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/nosebleed-epistaxis, nhs.uk/chq/Pages/990.aspx?categoryid=72&subcategoryid=725, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, How to Treat a Bite on the Inside of Your Lip, How to Treat a Bleeding Cut on Your Finger: Step-by-Step Instructions, What You Need to Know About Bleeding Gums, theres dirt that wont come out after washing, the bleeding will not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of first aid. a splash of battery acid tones the skin right up. Press it against the cut for 30 seconds. The new BAND-AID Brand HYDRO SEAL adhesive bandage has a unique design that shields and cushions wounds to specifically help keep out dirt and germs and prevent reinjury. If youre generally healthy, and a wound is sticking around a little longer than usual, something else in your daily routine could be throwing off healing. Last medically reviewed on February 7, 2017. The warm water will help clean the cut, and the bleeding should slow meanwhile. For this procedure, a healthcare provider will first clean the wound with a topical antibiotic. 5 Things We Now Know About Peripheral Artery Disease. This should stop bleeding altogether. When everything goes well, most basic cuts and scrapes typically take about one to two weeks to heal, and those that are particularly large could need more time. "Paprika has high concentrations of iron, which likely explains its use as a natural treatment to stop bleeding," says Dr. Zeichner. Bentonite clay and coffee grounds also contain properties that may constrict blood vessels and skin tissues to promote clotting. Run the wound under some water and gently wash the area around it with gentle soap-but try not to get soap directly in the wound, according to the Mayo Clinic. Youre not the only one. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationLimit the Use of My Sensitive Personal InformationCookie Settings. The common circulatory condition is a leading cause of amputations in the U.S. But if it does get wet, just make sure its clean and put on a dry, clean dressing. Any situation that involves heavy bleeding can create fear and stress. Wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection. Ad Choices. If you have a shaving cut, splash enough cold water over your skin. Sick of being covered in little squares of toilet paper? You can easily access first aid tips and other information via the Johnson & Johnson Wound Care Resource app. 2. Nicks from shaving, scrapes from falling off of a bike, and even pricking a finger with a sewing needle can result in excessive bleeding. With that in mind, heres what you should know about how to stop any of this from happening. But if you slip up, despite. If the wound is deep or dirty, consider getting a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past five years, according to the Mayo Clinic. This acts as a sealant and works well on paper cuts, too (Vaseline is another good solution). He recommends laying a towel . You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops. Leave the cut uncovered if its not likely to get dirty or rub against clothes or other surfaces. But bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. The wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, tenderness, or a thick discharge, or if the person runs a fever. Just keep in mind that while there are plenty of anecdotal reports of this working, there are no good clinical studies to support this either, says Dr. Sosa. By following these step-by-step instructions, you should be able to clean the wound, stop the bleeding, and start the healing process. You might notice trace redness in the balm from any last blood drainage. The wound is deep or the edges are jagged or gaping open. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Alum is one of the most classic, reliable methods of stopping a shave cut. Seek professional help for a nosebleed if bleeding does not stop after about 20 minutes, or if the nosebleed is related to a fall or injury. Anything to make sure the cut is closed off. But what if your cut isn't mending quickly? Keep putting direct pressure on the cut. Why You Get Cut There are much better ways than a wad of toilet paper. If you cut yourself while shaving, get a cut on your finger from a kitchen knife or gardening tool, or fall and bump your head, the blood thinner slows your body's ability to clot and stop bleeding at a normal rate. Apply a witch hazel-based toner or other alcohol-free aftershave to disinfect the wound. We suggest using an aftershave lotion instead, and saving the alum for proper nicks and cuts, to prevent overdrying the skin. Do not apply a tourniquet unless the bleeding is severe and not stopped with direct pressure. Shave with the grain first, and then if you want a really close shave, make a single pass against the grain this will limit your strokes and your discomfort (just be warned that shaving against the grain could lead to more ingrowns if you find yourself suffering from those nasty red bumps after shaving, we recommend applying a little, "I really, really don't like shaving bumps.". Using bits of toilet paper may be a classic move, but it could take a while to stop the bleeding, and frankly, looks ridiculous. A bleeding cut (or laceration) can be a painful and even frightening injury if the cut is especially deep or long. Not only that, but alcohol can also help to prevent infection, she says. In the days following an injury, be on the lookout to ensure that a wound is healing correctly. Sometimes you can see the signs of a resulting infectionswelling, tenderness, redness, oozing pusbut other times the infection might be smaller, and wont have the telltale symptoms. If the cut is large or bleeding heavily, have them lie down. Dont ignore a wound that wont stop bleeding just because it looks small or isnt painful. Learn more about these serious fractures, how theyre treated, and what to expect. Learn six home remedies to stop bleeding caused by small cuts. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. In the evening, you can reapply witch hazel after cleansing the face, too. In fact, you probably have a bunch of these options in your bathroom or kitchen right now.Most of the time, a shaving cut is super minor and will clot quickly, but there can be some reasons why the bleeding seems to go on and on. Sometimes, though, infection sets in before a scab can form. Remember, youre dragging a razor across your face that thing is sharp as hell. Remember, youre dragging a razor across your face that thing is sharp as hell. 4. for two reasons: The large number of blood vessels near the surface of your face, and the sharpness of your razor. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Youll find the ingredient on deodorants like Axe and Dove. To first stop the bleeding, blood cells start to cluster together to promote clotting. Just like witch hazel and eye drops, ice will also help constrict . Heres how to fix (and avoid) those cuts properly. To stop the bleeding: Put a clean towel or bandage on the wound Press. Coffee or caffeinated tea also works as a vasoconstrictor, reducing puffiness and redness particularly around the eyes, says Dr. Mercurio. (One of them is as easy as applying a little lip balm.). If that doesnt work, they should be seen by a provider," says David Brill, DO, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. Contact Us with any questions or search this site for more information. "A white bubble forms as Hydro Seal absorbs moisture, showing its working and maintaining the optimal environment for your healing wound," she says. Dont hesitate to add an extra little mound of balm on this first pass. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pay close attention to how the cut looks each day. You might be more inclined to buy this if you have a full beard, as it has the added benefit of lessening irritation after heavy-duty shaving. Keep putting direct pressure on the cut. The bleeding should stop after a few minutes. Inflammation then sparks the arrival of different kinds of cells to help get rid of bacteria and keep the wound clean. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Smaller cuts and scrapes can stay uncovered after you've applied ointment, but if your wound is larger or you feel like you need extra protection, you'll want to place a bandage or gauze held with tape over the cut. If youve been staunching the blood flow with a wad of toilet paper or just slapping on a Band-Aid, we have good news for you: There are easier ways to .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}stop your cut from bleeding. Elevate If the cut is on your legs or arms, elevate the limb above heart level to slow the blood flow. Even the smallest of cuts can bleed excessively, and you should never ignore a bleeding cut, no matter its size. Apply a little petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help reduce scarring and speed up healing. We spoke to wound care experts on what you could be doing that's hampering healing. This process involves the removal of a small section of healthy skin elsewhere on the body to be placed over the wound to help it heal. This will help keep the wound moist for faster healing. You can get away with shaving your own armpits and legs, but probably not your pubes. If you experience other side effects such as bleeding gums, new nosebleeds, or easy bruising along with your shaving nicks, reach out to your doctor, she suggests. Keep pressing on it. Many deodorants are actually made of some form of aluminum (referred to as aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminium choride) which helps to constrict blood vessels. All rights reserved. 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