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. Photographs courtesy Getty Images; Collage by Gabe Conte. Keep pressing on it. You can easily access first aid tips and other information via the Johnson & Johnson Wound Care Resource app. When you shave on a regular basis, nicks and cuts are pretty much impossible to avoid. Last medically reviewed on February 7, 2017. Some serious injuries bleed very little. To help ensure a healthy healing process, change the dressing daily or more frequently if it becomes wet, dirty, or bloody. Wet a cotton ball or tissue with eye drops and place it on the cut. If possible, have the injured person lie down on the floor while you wait for medical care to arrive. 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. Place a cool compress on the skin for 5 minutes. Apply a witch hazel-based toner or other alcohol-free aftershave to disinfect the wound. 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. Remove obvious debris from the wound, such as. You can buy it at your local pharmacy. hether its a simple paper cut or road rash from a bike spill, when you get a minor cut, your body immediately goes into action. This will help prevent infection and serious illness. Treating minor cuts and grazes Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad (preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one). However, if not treated properly, the risk of excessive bleeding, infection, or other complications can turn a simple cut into a much more serious medical problem. Biting the inside of your lip is a common mouth injury that can cause pain, bleeding, and swelling. Eventually, the scab falls off to reveal healthy, shiny skin, and you feel as good as new just another day on the job for the incredible human body. If youve injured your hand, a bandage might be able to help in the healing process. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection thats typically caused by a cut from something rusty or dirty. 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. 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. This will reduce pressure in the nasal veins and slow the bleeding. Sometimes, though, infection sets in before a scab can form. Do not apply a tourniquet unless the bleeding is severe and not stopped with direct pressure. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationLimit the Use of My Sensitive Personal InformationCookie Settings. Policy. You can also follow any of the above-listed methods to stop the bleeding. However, too much bleeding can cause your body to go into shock. Its pretty easy to use: just keep the pencil on the cut until it stops bleeding, which usually takes a few seconds (note: it might sting a little while it works its magic). 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. However, you should stay alert for any signs of infection, like redness, warmth, tenderness, drainage, or swelling around the cut. If they are able, have them elevate their legs above their heart. Shaving cuts happen to the best of us, whether were new to shaving or have been doing it for decades. All rights reserved. Apply firm, but gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze pad. It may begin bleeding again. The wound is deep or the edges are jagged or gaping open. Minor cuts can usually be treated easily without a medical evaluation. This site is governed solely by applicable U.S. laws and governmental regulations. 2. To stop the bleeding: If blood leaks through, just add another towel, cloth, or bandage. Your face will thank you for it. "Unless someone has a bleeding disorder, applying pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, at most, should be effective. Cold, clammy skin, a weakened pulse, and loss of consciousness can all indicate that a person is about to go into shock from blood loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. Apply a. a splash of battery acid tones the skin right up. "It takes flexibility and patience," says Janczyn. Gently clean with soap and warm water. 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. Apply Bed Bath and Beyond Coupon and save 25% Off your entire purchase, Target Circle: up to 50% Off with Target promo code, Save 25% on your purchase of Spring Styles with Asos Coupon, Michael Kors Promo Code: sign up for KORSVIP + Get 10% Off on First Order, 2023 Cond Nast. Minor cuts and scrapes that are oozing a little blood usually don't require any bleeding control. Youll need something stronger if its really dirty. Learn six home remedies to stop bleeding caused by small cuts. Dont ignore a wound that wont stop bleeding just because it looks small or isnt painful. Chronic wound healing: A review of current management and treatments. 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). The best way to help protect a cut or scrape from exposure to infection is to make sure the wound is properly covered, so you can keep bacteria from entering the wound. It includes treating the cut with ice cubes, cold water, hot water, mouthwash, lip balm, sugar among many others. Got a Cut or Scrape? 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. Maintain firm and continuous pressure until the bleeding has stopped . 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. The person has a puncture wound or deep cut and hasnt had a. Its weird, I know, but it works. To use an alum block, just wet the bar and rub it around your face. All rights reserved. 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.. And if you're not feeling the sting yet get some barbed wire. Oral corticosteroids used to treat conditions like asthma could also affect wound healing. Dr. Fertel says a deep cut is any wound thats gaping, jagged and looks deep, revealing fat or muscle. Wooster B, et al. Ad Choices. 6. Using bits of toilet paper may be a classic move, but it could take a while to stop the bleeding, and frankly, looks ridiculous. If you do use one of these ingredients, it's crucial that you still clean and disinfect the wound afterward. The first reason is just nature's waythe second reason, not so much. Hemostatic gauze has medicine on it that helps blood quickly clot. 2. In the event you dont have a styptic pencil handy, put a little lip balm on the cut. You should also see a doctor if the cut is caused by the bite of a human or animal. And you should always speak with your physician before altering your medication regimen. Could a cold bath be the key to beating rising temperatures? 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.". Next, apply firm pressure with toilet paper over the cut. 4. Get help from someone nearby: Have them call 911 or get you to an emergency room. However, if your. Carefully use tweezers cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove pieces of glass, gravel, or. 3. Bad idea. Dr. Fertel shares the steps to take with a small cut. Inflammation then sparks the arrival of different kinds of cells to help get rid of bacteria and keep the wound clean. Use toilet paper or a cotton ball to swab your chapstick and apply it with pressure to the cut. We may earn a commission from links on this page. But staying calm and being prepared with a well-established first aid kit can make a difficult and painful experience a lot less traumatic. This can trigger anxiety and fear, but bleeding has a healing purpose. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. It will also keep blood from flowing down into the stomach, which can cause nausea. Salt will stop a cut from bleeding. Make sure you've removed any dirt and debris that might've gotten into the wound, using tweezers if you have to. 5. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25, $10. Even in cases of moderate blood loss, the bleeding person may feel lightheaded or nauseous. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Even a tiny shaving cut is an open wound, which provides a portal for bacteria to enter your body, potentially leading to infections. 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. Instead, pick up a styptic pencil, or alum block. The first reason is just nature's way the second reason, not so much. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Nosebleeds: First aid, Mayo Clinic Staff. If youre in a hurry out the door, though, then a small, surface amount of balm will suffice, so long as the cut is sealed off. Raise the finger above the heart, allowing the hand or arm to rest on something if needed. 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. If youre unsure if your injury needs a doctors evaluation, look for the following: A deep, long, or jagged cut may need stitches to close the wound. Recover the severed tip of your finger, if possible, and rinse it off. Then, gently wipe the excess balm away with your clean fingers. Forget the toilet paper wad and try these easy options instead. Many deodorants are actually made of some form of aluminum (referred to as aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminium choride) which helps to constrict blood vessels. If the person develops a fever or begins to have pain again at the sign of the cut, seek medical attention immediately. Common questions about wound care. All rights reserved. To first stop the bleeding, blood cells start to cluster together to promote clotting. Director, Global Wound Care Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 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The goal to eliminate prostate cancer starts with getting people to talk about itespecially Black men, who are two times more likely to die from the disease than most other men. You may have heard that airing out a wound is good for itbut thats not actually true. When you cut yourself shaving, you bleed like crazy. If you put a few eye drops on the cut, youre effectively restricting the blood vessels, causing it to clot quicker. You should keep the following items around for situations where you may need to close a wound: Saline wash can also be helpful to have on hand in order to clear out debris or dirt from a wound without touching it. Simple soap and water and a bandage do the job of keeping the cut clean and protected, Dr. Fertel explains. Leave it alone for half an hourno touching, no scrutinizing. Splash some cold water on the area first, then apply your tool of choice.