How to Stop Different Kinds of Bleeding
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Accidents happen, but you can handle many minor bleeding injuries with basic first aid. This usually means applying pressure, and then cleaning and dressing the wound. Dental bleeding and nosebleeds can also be treated at home most of the time. Whenever possible, wash your hands well before helping others to avoid infection.
Gushing, spurting, or bleeding that won't stop with direct pressure is a life-threatening medical emergency. This article covers how to stop bleeding from minor cuts, shaving nicks, a bloody nose, and more.
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When to Call an Ambulance
Seek medical attention for puncture wounds or bites that can cause infection, jagged or deep wounds that may need stitches, or if you can't remove all dirt and debris from a cut.
Call 911 if:
Bleeding can't be controlled or is excessive.
There's a possibility of internal bleeding.
There's a severe injury, especially to the abdomen, pelvis, groin, neck, or chest.
The injured person takes blood-thinning medications or has hemophilia or another bleeding disorder.
How to Stop Bleeding From a Cut
You can usually treat minor cuts on your own and they should be well on their way to healing within a few days.
Apply Pressure
Use a sterile dressing or a soft, clean cloth to apply pressure directly to the cut. Hold for several minutes before checking on it. If it's still bleeding, try keeping pressure on it for up to 15 minutes.
If the cut is on a finger, hand, or arm, raise it above your head. If it's on a lower limb, lie down and raise the leg or foot.
Clean and Dress the Wound
Once the bleeding slows, clean the wound. Hold the cut under running water for five minutes. Then, gently wash with soap. Apply a light coat of antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage or gauze. Remove the bandage every day to clean and check for signs of infection.
See a healthcare provider if you can't remove all debris from a cut or if there are signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or pain. If a small cut bleeds excessively, you may have a blood clotting problem that requires a diagnosis.
How to Stop Dental Bleeding
Your gums can bleed for many reasons, including brushing or flossing too hard, side effects of medicines, and nutritional deficiencies. But the most common reason for bleeding gums is a gingivitis (gum inflammation). Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible.
Apply Pressure to the Gums
Use a gauze pad soaked in ice water to apply pressure directly on your gums. This can provide immediate help for bleeding. But if you have gingivitis, you'll need to do more.
Step Up Oral Hygiene
Brush after every meal or at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss twice a day as well. Rinse with salt water or mouth rinse designed to treat gum inflammation. Avoid harsh substances, such as tobacco and alcohol-containing mouth rinses.
If your gums continue to bleed, you're at risk of developing periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum disease. A professional dental cleaning can prevent this from happening.
How to Stop a Bloody Nose
Nosebleeds are pretty common and usually due to minor irritations inside the nostrils. Though you'll often see people leaning their head back or lying down, it's not the best position. You'll likely end up swallowing blood, which can make you feel sick to your stomach.
Sit, Squeeze Your Nose, and Lean Forward
Sit down. Using your thumb and finger, gently squeeze just under the bridge of your nose so your nostrils are closed. Lean forward so you don't swallow blood. Hold this position for 10 minutes. Resist the urge to check before that.
Check for Bleeding
After 10 minutes, release your nose and check if the bleeding has stopped. If you have an injury, you may want to apply ice across the bridge of your nose. Don't put gauze or any other material inside your nose.
Try not to irritate your nostrils by sniffing or blowing your nose for at least a few hours. If you're still bleeding after 10 minutes, a nasal spray decongestant may help close off small blood vessels.
Get emergency care if you're still bleeding after 20 minutes, you think you have a broken nose, or you have a head injury.
How to Stop Bleeding From Shaving
Do the following if you cut your face while shaving:
Use a clean cloth or tissue to apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops.
Use a styptic pencil.
Styptic pencils have aluminum compounds that help stop bleeding by promoting clotting.
To use a styptic pencil, rinse the pencil tip, then hold it on the cut for several seconds. You might feel a slight stinging sensation, but the bleeding should stop fairly quickly. These pencils are for external use only. Take care not to let the point touch your eyes or mouth.
Do the following for a cut on your leg or underarm:
Clean with warm, soapy water and pat dry.
Apply a topical antibacterial and bandage.
Don't shave that area again until the cut is completely healed.
If the cut is in the pubic area, proceed as follows:
Wash with water and a mild, unscented soap.
Avoid shaving that area again until it's healed.
Bleeding in Pregnancy or Postpartum
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can happen for many reasons. It's common in early pregnancy and doesn't always mean something is wrong. But be sure to consult with your provider. In the meantime, here's what you can do:
Rest and stay off your feet.
Avoid sex.
Do not use tampons.
Do not douche.
Bleeding during pregnancy can be serious. To be on the safe side, call your provider or go directly to the hospital whenever there are signs of blood.
Postpartum bleeding is normal and can last from a few weeks to a month or more. The flow should get lighter and lighter with time. During this time, you should use sanitary pads, not tampons or a menstrual cup.
Postpartum hemorrhage, however, involves a high blood loss within the first 24 hours of delivery or up to 12 weeks postpartum. This is a life-threatening event that requires immediate medical intervention.
Risks of Infection and Bleeding
There's a risk of infection any time there's a break in the skin. Puncture wounds, for example, may not bleed much, but they are more likely to get infected.
There's usually an area of redness around the edge of a wound. But that's a good thing. It's a sign of inflammation and it's helping bring blood to the area to promote healing. However, an area of redness beyond the size of a thumb could be a sign of infection.
Other signs of infection include:
A red streak spreading out from the cut
Continuing pain and soreness
Swelling
White, yellow, or green fluid draining from the wound
Fever
If you have signs of infection, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. You may need antibiotics, a tetanus shot, or other medical care.
Summary
Usually, you can get minor bleeding under control. Most minor bleeding, like when you cut your finger or nick yourself shaving, can be treated at home. It's a matter of applying pressure and then cleaning and dressing the wound.
You can also usually take care of a bloody nose or bleeding gums on your own. But always seek emergency medical care for profuse bleeding or major injury.
Once you have a dressing on the wound, it's important to clean and check it daily for signs of infection and to make sure it's healing. See a healthcare provider if you think it may be infected or isn't healing as it should.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
