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. Most people dont want to see their own blood, let alone someone elses! You may have heard that airing out a wound is good for itbut thats not actually true. Most nosebleeds are not serious, especially in children. After putting on clean latex gloves, apply firm pressure to the wound with a folded cloth or bandage for about 10 minutes. Dr. Fertel says a deep cut is any wound thats gaping, jagged and looks deep, revealing fat or muscle. Wooster B, et al. This is the same logic applied to a post-shave splash of cold water, to help tighten the pores and help the skin retreat from the shave. Press the razor to the area you want to shave (it's a good idea to start with the sides of your face as they're easy to handle). There are some skills you hope you never need to use, but having them could be a matter of life and. Be gentle to avoid re-opening the wound. 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. Press firmly on the part of your gums thats bleeding with a damp washcloth or tea bag. Knowing how to properly care for a cut following injury could save someones life. Alum is one of the most classic, reliable methods of stopping a shave cut. Youre left with the decision: continue to dab it with toilet paper until the bleeding stops or head to the office looking like Carrie. Its made up of aluminum potassium sulfate, the same ingredient in a styptic pencil. Salt. Yet, adults can have nosebleeds related to high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries, and it may be more difficult to stop them. A bloody nose is common in both children and adults. If you do use one of these ingredients, it's crucial that you still clean and disinfect the wound afterward. 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). Inflammation then sparks the arrival of different kinds of cells to help get rid of bacteria and keep the wound clean. He recommends laying a towel . Advertising on our site helps support our mission. It promotes healing, disinfects, and closes off the wound. When first applying the bandage, dont remove it to look at the wound during this time. Nicks from shaving, scrapes from falling off of a bike, and even pricking a finger with a sewing needle can result in excessive bleeding. The site youre being redirected to is a branded pharmaceutical website. Shop at Amazon Shop at Macy's. If you're going to attempt to shave your own balls, do some stretches first. Once the nose stops bleeding, instruct the person not to blow their nose for several days. Many people like to shave right after or during a shower because the skin is warm, hydrated, and clean from oil and dead skin buildup. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection thats typically caused by a cut from something rusty or dirty. (2015). This may make it bleed more. This is because blood vessels in the area are damaged. You might know of it by the terms styptic pen(cil) or styptic block.". (One of them is as easy as applying a little lip balm.). (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. Traditional bandages cover the wound, but they dont seal the injury completely, meaning water and bacteria can still find their way in. 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. There's an App for That. Apply petroleum jelly. And you should always speak with your physician before altering your medication regimen. In fact, lip balm, petroleum jelly, eye drops and even mouthwash or aftershave (provided they have no alcohol!) If the initial scab covering the wound grows bigger or becomes surrounded by redness, there may be an infection. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25, $10. Help the person to remain calm. Regardless, youve got a situation on your hands (or rather, on your face), and you need to get yourself looking presentable, fast. The warm water will help clean the cut, and the bleeding should slow meanwhile. 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. Dont remove an object if its embedded in the body. Splash some cold water on the area first, then apply your tool of choice. Learn how to treat a bitten lip at home. A cut that wont stop bleeding, for example, may need stitches. Follow these steps: If you cut yourself a little with a razor or kitchen knife, you probably wont need medical attention. All Rights Reserved. But if you slip up, despite. Ad Choices. The nose may have been broken during an injury. 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. Your favorite deodorant/antiperspirant probably has aluminum chloride in it, which shrinks sweat glands and in turn tones down your sweating. While this will help seal in the blood, the blood will still be visible. If the person develops a fever or begins to have pain again at the sign of the cut, seek medical attention immediately. This will help prevent infection and serious illness. 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. Use of this site constitutes your consent to application of such laws and regulations and to our Privacy Policy. Place clean gauze or cloth on the wound and apply direct pressure. If you suspect that theres internal bleeding or if theres an embedded object surrounding the site of the injury, immediately call 911 or your local emergency services. Next, apply firm pressure with toilet paper over the cut. But if you just get the occasional run-of-the-mill shaving cut, here are, six fast and easy ways to stop your shaving cut from bleeding. You dont need to go all. Maintain pressure for one to two minutes or until the bleeding stops. Mark Reiter, MD, American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Use warm water and mild soap, and be gentle. How to Tell If You Need Medical Care, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Gunshot Wound: First Aid, Recovery, and Outlook, Beat the Heat with a Cold Bath: 8 Tips for a Refreshing Dip. All rights reserved. It will also keep blood from flowing down into the stomach, which can cause nausea. You are now leaving jnj.com. We've all been there-maybe you sliced the tip of your finger instead of the bagel, nicked yourself shaving, or got swiped at by a feisty cat. Get tips on first aid, CPR, and much. Some bleeding cuts require medical care that you cant provide at home. If the injury has caused serious skin damage, you may need a skin graft. A wound that penetrates the chest or abdomen. Depending on the size of the cut, you may always have a scar, but for many minor cuts, after several weeks or months, you may not even be able to locate the site of the wound. 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? However, too much bleeding can cause your body to go into shock. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Rinse off all traces of shaving cream with warm water to reduce the risk of irritation. 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. If the wound is on an arm or leg, raise the limb above the heart to slow bleeding. Do this for 30 minutes. Apply an antibiotic cream to further avoid infection. Does Alcohol Affect Deep Vein Thrombosis? Recover the severed tip of your finger, if possible, and rinse it off. Remember that emergency help is only a phone call away, and take any incident of heavy bleeding seriously. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If blood spurts out of your cut, you have an abdominal or chest wound, or bleeding is so severe that it pools on the ground or soaks through your clothes, then call 9-1-1. Alternatively, you can use an antibiotic balm, like Neosporin, for this step. Keep putting direct pressure on the cut. An accidental cut can be minor or severe. Itll help get the bacteria and dirt out. For minor injuries such as these, youll still want to stop the injury from bleeding. 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. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. How the Microbiome Could Transform Your Skin in Surprising Ways, How Surprising New Research Is Tapping the Powers of the Immune System. When you shave on a regular basis, nicks and cuts are pretty much impossible to avoid. Gently clean with soap and warm water. To help ensure a healthy healing process, change the dressing daily or more frequently if it becomes wet, dirty, or bloody. The bandages are also designed to stay on for several dayseven through hand-washing and bathing. If the wound dries out, and a scab is allowed to form, it can delay healing. 5. 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. Small cuts are annoying and painful, but fortunately, theyre not dangerous, and you can treat them at home. Press it against the cut for 30 seconds. Seek medical attention if you notice signs of infection, including: The healing process takes about three weeks, but the first step is crucial. The Best Yoga Mats, According to Top Yoga Instructors, Jillian Michaels Urges Fans to Stay Away From the Keto Diet, Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, Why 'Love Is Blind' star Deepti Vempati didn't talk about her eating disorder with her family, Christina Aguilera says stigma 'that it's shameful to get older' in the public eye makes her 'really sad'. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. 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. Policy, Quick action and proper care can make a big difference. The following tips apply to relatively mild injuries. This can trigger anxiety and fear, but bleeding has a healing purpose. To stop the bleeding: Youll need to clean the wound once the bleeding stops. "Nipples are made up of vascular tissue similar to the tissue on your penis which means it's . Before you begin to treat an injury, you should identify its severity as best you can. Not only that, but alcohol can also help to prevent infection, she says. The person has a puncture wound or deep cut and hasnt had a. Like swimming pools and your package, the cold . Bad idea. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The common circulatory condition is a leading cause of amputations in the U.S. Pay close attention to how the cut looks each day. 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. In most cases, the healing process should start within 24 hours. Unconsciousness, when a person is suddenly unable to respond to stimuli, requires immediate medical attention. In the evening, you can reapply witch hazel after cleansing the face, too. (2014, November 20). 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. Call 911 if you experience: If a first-aid kit is available, look for these items designed to stop intense bleeding: A scab a patch of crusty, tough tissue typically forms during the healing process, creating a protective shield over the wound. Taylor of Old Bond Street aftershave, $16.99, .css-p1qoec{background-color:#ffffff;border:thin solid #595959;color:#000;display:inline-block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;letter-spacing:0rem;padding:0.625rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-transform:uppercase;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;width:auto;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-p1qoec{font-size:0.9375rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-p1qoec{font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-p1qoec{font-size:0.9375rem;line-height:1.3;}}.css-p1qoec:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}.css-p1qoec:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:#d2232e;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border:thin solid #d2232e;}Buy it here. The wound is a result of an animal or human bite. "As Black Men, We Keep Things Close to the Hip": 5 Questions for a Urologist About Prostate Cancer. Uh-oh, overstock: Wayfair put their surplus on sale for up to 50% off. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 5. 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. Before you get to an emergency room or before paramedics arrive, there are some important steps you should take: Whether its from a kitchen knife, the edge of envelope, or a piece of broken glass, a bleeding cut on your finger requires immediate attention to help reduce the odds of infection and help it start healing as soon as possible. There are some situations in which you shouldnt try to administer any kind of first aid at all. This will help keep the wound moist for faster healing. Place the severed portion in a clean bag, or wrap it in something clean. If you have a shaving cut, splash enough cold water over your skin. Clean the wound with warm water and soap or another mild cleanser to get any dirt away from the cut. 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. Elevate If the cut is on your legs or arms, elevate the limb above heart level to slow the blood flow. This site is governed solely by applicable U.S. laws and governmental regulations. With that in mind, heres what you should know about how to stop any of this from happening. Mayo Clinic Staff. Here's what a physician says about building awareness and normalizing tough conversations. It also constricts blood vessels too, helping form a clot and staunch bleeding, says Dr. Mercurio. However, size, location, the amount of, When your skin gets cut or scraped, you begin to bleed. If a major artery is cut, a person can lose a life-threatening amount of blood in just 5 minutes. When bleeding has stopped, tape a clean bandage over the cut. Cleaning the cut, covering it with a clean dressing, and elevating it to help stop the bleeding and swelling, will boost your chances of keeping a simple cut from causing further medical complications. Even washing the dishes or playing a quick game of football can bring bad bacteria back into the wound. A DIY method could leave a scar, and because cherry angiomas are made of blood vessels, a basic Band-Aid might not stop the bleeding. Family Doctor: First Aid: Cuts, Scrapes and Stitches., American Red Cross/Lakeland Chapter: Safety & Preparedness.. Last medically reviewed on February 7, 2017. With all respect to the iconic visual that is the toilet paper methodyou know it, and have probably tried itthere are other ways to hygienically and swiftly clot the blood and disinfect the area, while promoting prompt healing all the while. Maybe you drew it over top of an ingrown hair or a barely-there mole. All rights reserved. Use a light handand a clean one, if youre tapping it into place with your fingers. Find Out How to Tell, Wound Care: How to Care for an Open Wound or Cut, How Icicles Can Be Surprisingly Dangerous, How to Treat 10 Common Playground Injuries, Kitchen Hazards: When an Injury Needs Emergency Care, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. Even the smallest of cuts can bleed excessively, and you should never ignore a bleeding cut, no matter its size. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationLimit the Use of My Sensitive Personal InformationCookie Settings. Keep the wound uncovered, but as clean as possible, once it has closed. Learn six home remedies to stop bleeding caused by small cuts. It may be a little harder to come by, but you can find alum blocks on Amazon and some old school barber shops. We avoid using tertiary references. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Apply pressure to the cut using a clean washcloth or gauze. But bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. Shaving cuts happen to the best of us, whether were new to shaving or have been doing it for decades. Hydro Seal adheres completely across the injury to seal the wound and prevent things from going in and under. Dab some on your nick to help the process along. Then, gently wipe the excess balm away with your clean fingers. Use a tea bag. Apply an aftershave formulated for preventing razor bumps . Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Living With DVT: Tips to Keep Away Blood Clots. Read your antiperspirants label, and if youre in luck, dab a little deodorant on your cut using your finger and watch the magic happenwith the added benefit of having your face smell better, too. The bleeding should stop after a few minutes. You cant always judge the seriousness of a cut or wound by the amount it bleeds. To first stop the bleeding, blood cells start to cluster together to promote clotting. This will expedite healing while continually shutting the wound off from outside threats, like bacteria. Get help from someone nearby: Have them call 911 or get you to an emergency room. If youre not sure what to buy, ask the pharmacist. Hold it for 5 minutes straight, no breaks. However, you should stay alert for any signs of infection, like redness, warmth, tenderness, drainage, or swelling around the cut. Dont have either of these? Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. We suggest using an aftershave lotion instead, and saving the alum for proper nicks and cuts, to prevent overdrying the skin. 6. If the cut is deep, it might start to bleed again if you're not careful. This helps keeps the cut moist and protected. "It takes flexibility and patience," says Janczyn. 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. Bentonite clay and coffee grounds also contain properties that may constrict blood vessels and skin tissues to promote clotting. Lip Balm. Make a tourniquet only if you know how and your injury is life-threatening. The alum disinfects the nick and halts further bleeding. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Remember, youre dragging a razor across your face that thing is sharp as hell. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. An alum block looks a lot like a bar of soap and feels like a stone, and in the event of a rather nasty cut, its a good thing to have in your shaving artillery. An old, dull blade combined with a less-than-stellar shaving technique can cause cuts to happen more frequently. Place a cool compress on the skin for 5 minutes. 4. If the wound is on an arm or leg, raise the limb above the heart to slow bleeding. Cuts and scrapes: First aid. Keep the severed tip cold, but dont place it directly on ice, and bring it to the emergency room. If bleeding is still occurring after 20 minutes, medical attention is needed. See a doctor if it doesnt appear to be healing. All rights reserved. This should help circulation to the vital organs while you wait for help. For stubborn small bleeds, you may need to hold pressure for 15 minutes without interruption to allow a clot to form. For the next 24 hours, do not: Avoid hard foods like pretzels and nuts for 2 to 3 days. There are much better ways than a wad of toilet paper. Find out what causes bleeding gums and how to. Sick of being covered in little squares of toilet paper? 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..