I nicked myself shaving and it just would not stop bleeding. After an hour I thought I would seek advice. It did not seem to warrant minor injuries so I went into the nearest pharmacist. Sadly they were no help so I went to my regular one. It was sorted in minutes. He sold me a 'nix' styptic pencil. This helps stop bleeding from minor cuts and scratches, and can also soothe bites and stings.
Might be a useful addition to the 'heartie' medicine chest.
My husband always has one to hand. The only time I used it ( shaving legs lol) it stung hugely!! We are both on anticoagulants.
Really useful advice thanks Michael. When I first started reading I thought it was another one of your jokes! Cheers. Zena
Okey dokey...
In A level biology we did blood types in one lesson. Mine was B-.
When I told my dad over supper he looked slightly sad and said "I had hoped any son of mine would have got at least an A"!
I bit my tongue a few weeks back - day before a flight. Started bleeding at 1pm.....gave up trying to stop it myself at 7pm. Had to use A&E. Since read that pressing a damp cold green tea bag on it might help.
That's useful to know. I've got to visit the chemist tomorrow, I'll see if they've got any. I went to the dentist in March and she gave my teeth a serious clean, only problem was my gums started bleeding, appointment was about 10am, and the bleeding finally stopped about 8pm - annoying!
When I worked with children, if one wanted a plaster for a minor abrasion, I told them that was OK if the blood was red - and that I would have been concerned if it had been green or yellow.
I have given up shaving - but I bleed when I lose a fight with brambles.
Blood-letting used to be conventional medicine.
I am on Apixaban.
Heartie medicine vault, I think you mean.
The Cornish brigade probably keep them in a pirate chest. They should just fit!
How did you know about the pirate`s chest clever clogs!
I watched the original Poldark and fell in love with Demelza (Angharad Rees) so picked up on the pirates and wrecking. Sadly Angharad Rees died a few years ago. I have been unable to get into the new series as it seems style over substance to me!
You`re so right.I don`t watch it either.Seems more of a soap opera than the original.
Robin Ellis (Ross Poldark) developed Type II diabetes around 20 years ago and had written some cook books relating to the Mediterranean diet and diabetes.
You`re at it again Mr. Encyclopaedia,but always interesting little snippets x
Not heard of that pencil before - will be useful to have one in case needed. Thank you
Yes, despite bleeding for well over an hour it sorted it in minutes. Don't fancy a beard as it would be salt 'n' pepper!
Personally I’m running out of pepper now, although on top of my head even that is not an option (but less salt is good for us hearties).
Hi Michael, thanks for the post, think I will get one particularly to take with me on holiday.
Wendy
There is special stuff, hemostatic dressings that dentists and drs can use to stop bleeding if needed. You need different type in different areas. Could be worth asking a pharmacist if it would be safe to have in a first aid kit
Handy to know about. I'll get one. Could do with it now as husband was stung by a wasp that had sneaked up his trouser leg..... Ouch!!!
That’s good to know I shall invest in one. I had a very small cut on my leg which wouldn’t stop bleeding for hrs. I’m off to the chemist today to get a pen, thank you
They are excellent. Totally out of fashion these days, but I always had one in my wash kit and now carry it with my meds.
However, I haven’t shaved since my HA. Just seemed sensible.
Talking about little bleeders - what is it about Rivaroxaban tablets rolling away all the time, and over great distances?
This is being investigated with "Why does toast land with the buttered side face down"?
You're so right! Damn Rivaroxaban tablets leap out of the foil and fly onto the floor only to disappear under the sofa. 😄
My old dad always had one of those next to his shaving mug (old fashioned shaving brush & razor man) 60 odd years ago. Sometimes old remedies are best, though I didn’t know they were still in use.
Pat x
You can buy them on Amazon
The same thing happens to me, little nips from my car door handle, plus small nips in the garden, and I have to juggle with paper hankies while tearing open a plaster, the pencil from the chemist seems to be a good idea.
I always remember that my Dad used one and was pleasantly suprised that they still sell them. As I'm on Warfarin they are a God send. They're quite cheap to buy and are sold in most supermarkets except my local Morrisons where I was snootily told "never heard of them".😠
Might but one of these. A few weeks ago I cut my lip shaving (still don't know how), but it blistered and then got infected. I've been on antibiotics now for a week, but it bleeds through the night even though I've been putting Vaseline on it. Back to dry shaving me thinks.
That should be buy
They also do little styptic matches on Amazon which are very handy. I have just ordered some. Thanks for the tip 👍
I keep this in the cupboard, mainly for my dogs X
if you don't have any styptic to hand cornflour makes a good alternative X
Hi I am on apixaban since June and will definitely be getting one of these,the only things in our first aid kit is plasters and paracetamol! Should I have anything else ? Must sound stupid but have no idea !
Any tendency to bleed and for it not to clot may be a result of any blood thinning medication or, failing that, essential thrombocythaemia.
Will get one tomorrow.
Are you a horologist by any chance? ⌚
I tried a styptic pencil and it stings like mad, having switched to double edge safety razors a few years ago I found a product by proraso that is a gel and you just coat the nicks with it (they also make really good shaving creams)
Will keep a look out for but but cannot recall seeing the name before. Do you know who stocks it? I used to pass a tobacconist/shaving goods shop on my way home from work but after decades it is YAPS (yet another phone shop)!
Little update 
Just a little bit more
Update for 5th valve replacement surgery
Results are in..
