Luckily, if youre in a pinch, your stick of antiperspirant will do just fine all three contain ingredients that tighten your skin and constrict your blood vessels, which will quickly stop you from bleeding all over the place. Maintain firm and continuous pressure until the bleeding has stopped . get a cut, dont worry all is not lost. If you put a few eye drops on the cut,. will work better than little squares of toilet paper. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Make a tourniquet only if you know how and your injury is life-threatening. A cut finger may require only a few stitches. But staying calm and being prepared with a well-established first aid kit can make a difficult and painful experience a lot less traumatic. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Nosebleeds: First aid, Mayo Clinic Staff. Also seek immediate medical care for a cut or wound if: If a person is bleeding profusely, be on the lookout for symptoms of shock. Im not a fan of using anything else such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or antibiotic cream.. It really only takes a few seconds to clean any cut with some soap and clean water. Follow these steps: If you cut yourself a little with a razor or kitchen knife, you probably wont need medical attention. It could be that your blade was too dull, or you slide a little too across with the razor instead of down. 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. 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. Follow these tips: Call 911 or go the emergency room right away if: National Blood Clot Alliance: Living Your Best Life While Taking Blood Thinners., Michigan Medicine: Taking Care of a Cut: For People Taking Blood Thinners., The American College of Surgeons Division of Education: Surgical Patient Education Program., Mayo Clinic: Severe bleeding: First Aid., The American Academy of Oral Medicine: Blood Thinners and Dental Care., Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality: Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely., University Hospitals Harrington Hearth & Vascular Institute: How to Prevent Bleed While Taking Blood Thinners., University of Utah Health: ER or Not: Nosebleed.. Severe bleeding: First aid, What should I keep in my first aid kit? You might notice trace redness in the balm from any last blood drainage. If the cut is large or bleeding heavily, have them lie down. However, too much bleeding can cause your body to go into shock. The wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, tenderness, or a thick discharge, or if the person runs a fever. Once youre shaving, dont press down: Instead, just pull parallel to the contour of your skin and let your razor do the work. "Nipples are made up of vascular tissue similar to the tissue on your penis which means it's . Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Theres a big difference between a paper cut that doesnt stop oozing for 15 minutes versus a serious wound thats constantly pouring out a lot of blood, Dr. Fertel says. Then slather on some lemon juice for bigger gashes. Thats important, because by making the blood vessel smaller, it clots more easily to stop bleeding, says Mary Gail Mercurio, M.D., a professor of dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Apply an antibiotic cream to further avoid infection. Oral corticosteroids used to treat conditions like asthma could also affect wound healing. The following tips apply to relatively mild injuries. Some serious injuries bleed very little. By now, the cut should be done draining, and there should be some balm inside the wound, helping to nurture the nick. Forget the toilet paper wad and try these easy options instead. BAND-AID Brand HYDRO SEAL adhesive bandages are specially designed to help seal wounds To first stop the bleeding, blood cells start to cluster together to promote clotting. We suggest using an aftershave lotion instead, and saving the alum for proper nicks and cuts, to prevent overdrying the skin. Remember, youre dragging a razor across your face that thing is sharp as hell. Cuts and scrapes: First aid. And if you're not feeling the sting yet get some barbed wire. (2015). The alum disinfects the nick and halts further bleeding. Small cuts are minor injuries that typically stop bleeding on their own or after a few minutes of direct pressure. Sharp blades make very clean cuts, and clean cuts make it harder for your platelets the cells that form scabs to do their business of sealing up the hole, as more ragged cuts have more surface area to bond back together. 2. Step-by-step first aid for a bleedingfinger, Length of time a cut on yourfingertakes to heal, What to do if you accidentally cut off the tip of yourfinger, aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/minor-cuts, hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-wounds-heal, mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711, urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=2978, Treating a Cut Finger Injury, and When to See a Doctor, How to Identify and Treat an Infected Cut, Do I Need Stitches? Maintain pressure for one to two minutes or until the bleeding stops. 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 Rescue Serum to soothe that burn). The tannic acid in the tea helps halt the bleeding. You may have heard about alternative remedies for helping a wound stop bleeding-usually, these involve placing ingredients like paprika, bentonite clay, or coffee grounds on the cut to help the blood clot. "It takes flexibility and patience," says Janczyn. 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. Inflammation then sparks the arrival of different kinds of cells to help get rid of bacteria and keep the wound clean. Do this for 30 minutes. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. Accidents happen, but its important to get your bleeding under control. A deeper or larger cut, especially one where damage to tendons or muscles occurred, may take a couple of months to heal. All Rights Reserved. And correctly treating small cuts helps prevent infection. Change the bandage daily to keep the wound clean and dry. Next up, you should cover the cut with a Band-Aid or gauze and tape (you should change this once a day, per the Mayo Clinic). A wound that penetrates the chest or abdomen. Remember that emergency help is only a phone call away, and take any incident of heavy bleeding seriously. Rescue your face from shaving irritation! Place clean gauze or cloth on the wound and apply direct pressure. 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. Dont ignore a wound that wont stop bleeding just because it looks small or isnt painful. Nicks from shaving, scrapes from falling off of a bike, and even pricking a finger with a sewing needle can result in excessive bleeding. 5. If you do get a cut, dont worry all is not lost. Instead, pick up a styptic pencil, or alum block. Sometimes that small cut just needs some patience. 7. This will expedite healing while continually shutting the wound off from outside threats, like bacteria. The first reason is just nature's waythe second reason, not so much. This combo will remove dirt and bacteria that could cause an infection and potentially prolong healing, says Manuela Martins-Green, a professor of cell biology at the University of California. If the finger appears to have become infected, a prompt medical evaluation is essential. Photographs courtesy Getty Images; Collage by Gabe Conte. 2. 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. If youve cut yourself with a new blade, its often the result of applying too much pressure. Use a light handand a clean one, if youre tapping it into place with your fingers. Cover the cut with an adhesive strip, such as a Band-Aid, if the cut is on a part of your finger that may get dirty or touch other surfaces. You might know of it by the terms styptic pen(cil) or styptic block.". Keep pressing on it. 2. A bloody nose is common in both children and adults. Even in cases of moderate blood loss, the bleeding person may feel lightheaded or nauseous. 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. Have them push the bleeding nostril firmly against the septum (the dividing wall in the nose). Find out what causes bleeding gums and how to. Place the severed portion in a clean bag, or wrap it in something clean. If your wound is super small or youre in a rush, it can be tempting to skip disinfecting it. 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. Does Your Cut Need Stitches? Have the person sit down and lean their head forward. 5 Things We Now Know About Peripheral Artery Disease. Even the smallest of cuts can bleed excessively, and you should never ignore a bleeding cut, no matter its size. The warm water will help clean the cut, and the bleeding should slow meanwhile. 1. A minor cut should heal in under a week. However, you should stay alert for any signs of infection, like redness, warmth, tenderness, drainage, or swelling around the cut. Please see our Privacy Policy. While shaving, you manage to cut yourself ever so slightly, only for it to gush blood like an unfixable faucet leak. Here's what a physician says about building awareness and normalizing tough conversations. "After several days, the Hydro Seal bandage will begin to fall off on its own, and by that point, the wound should be well on its way to being healed.. Regardless of what you use to stop a shaving cut from bleeding, the goal is to apply sufficient pressure to the wound in order to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Place a clean and dry piece of material such as a bandage, towel, or cloth on the wound and apply pressure with both hands. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. They dont go any deeper than the skin, and theres no substantial blood loss. Melinda Cettina, Director, Global Wound Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Director, Global Wound Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. "Hydro Seal adheres completely across the injury to seal the wound and prevent things from going in and under.. When you cut yourself shaving, you bleed like one of the Crazy 88 gang in Kill Bill for two reasons: The large number of blood vessels near the surface of your face, and the sharpness of your razor. Keep the severed tip cold, but dont place it directly on ice, and bring it to the emergency room. Wooster B, et al. This acts as a sealant and works well on paper cuts, too (Vaseline is another good solution). Having tissues in your first aid kit, along with a topical nasal spray that is designed to go in the nasal passage (such as Sinex or Afrin), will help you administer first aid for a nosebleed. If that doesnt work, try a decongestant nose spray. No, you dont have to smell like a bubblegum or a strawberry to take advantage of this one. Try to rinse soap out of wound to prevent irritation. Learn six home remedies to stop bleeding caused by small cuts. For stubborn small bleeds, you may need to hold pressure for 15 minutes without interruption to allow a clot to form. Bentonite clay and coffee grounds also contain properties that may constrict blood vessels and skin tissues to promote clotting. Pay close attention to how the cut looks each day. Clean the wound with warm water and soap or another mild cleanser to get any dirt away from the cut. For this procedure, a healthcare provider will first clean the wound with a topical antibiotic. Policy. If there's anything you can't remove yourself, you'll want to see a doctor for assistance. If the wound is on an arm or leg, raise the limb above the heart to slow bleeding. As a vasoconstrictor, coffee can get a cut to stop bleeding faster, enabling a quicker healing process. Contact Us with any questions or search this site for more information. Please click below to continue to that site. Rinse your finger lightly with water or a sterile saline solution. This will reduce pressure in the nasal veins and slow the bleeding. , but it will have you cursing the very act of shaving when another clean white shirt falls victim to a cut that wont close. 10 It's Not Easy To Shave. For minor injuries such as these, youll still want to stop the injury from bleeding. This helps to . 3. Use toilet paper or a cotton ball to swab your chapstick and apply it with pressure to the cut. This kind of injury carries a higher rate of infections. When you shave on a regular basis, nicks and cuts are pretty much impossible to avoid. Dont remove an object if its embedded in the body. He recommends laying a towel . Adults are advised to have a tetanus booster every 10 years. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. The first reason is just natures way the second reason, not so much. If bleeding is still occurring after 20 minutes, medical attention is needed. 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. If youre not sure what to buy, ask the pharmacist. Youre not the only one. Instead, pick up a, . But bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. However, if your. Even washing the dishes or playing a quick game of football can bring bad bacteria back into the wound. You may have heard that airing out a wound is good for itbut thats not actually true. Can I remove them myself? 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. "Paprika has high concentrations of iron, which likely explains its use as a natural treatment to stop bleeding," says Dr. Zeichner. Injuries and certain medical conditions can result in bleeding. Apply petroleum jelly. 1. Hear me out: when youre desperate, youre willing to do anything, including dabbing a cut with antiperspirant. This should help circulation to the vital organs while you wait for help. Apply firm, but gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze pad. The first reason is just natures way the second reason, not so much. Smearing on a little ChapStick or Vaseline works like a sealplus it'll keep bigger cuts from forming unsightly scabs. Small Wounds If you cut yourself a little with a razor or kitchen knife, you probably won't need medical attention. "Apply constant pressure for several minutes to allow natural clotting to occur," explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "As Black Men, We Keep Things Close to the Hip": 5 Questions for a Urologist About Prostate Cancer. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Learn six home remedies to stop bleeding caused by small cuts. Just like witch hazel and eye drops, ice will also help constrict . 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. Ice will constrict the blood vessels, helping to form a clot. But its often difficult to stop the bleeding of a deep cut, and uncontrolled bleeding from a deep or large cut is a very serious situation. Reapply a fresh, barely-there layer of balm, and again throughout the dayand especially at night, before bed. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.