Dual anti-platelet therapy - scary bleed after pinprick injury

[firstlight40]

So I must probably have got a small insect bite on my back. The first I know about it is my family complaining about the blood stained sofa and my ruined shirt that looks like I have been shot in the back. Lots of pressure and multiple dressings later it's still bleeding. I've had other small cuts since starting treatment which have bled a bit but been OK

Anyone else have this happen to them? I'd guess the combination of the anticoagulants in the insect bite and the DAPT (ticagrelor,aspirin) are causing this pinprick wound to just not clot. I'd rather not go to A&E for something minor but does anyone have any alternative ideas here?

[Chappychap]

There's a simple fix for this. It's called a Styptic Pencil, it's a little white stick that's used to stop bleeding from shaving cuts (and in boxing between rounds to stop bleeding from facial cuts). They're available from most chemists, no prescription needed, only costs a quid or two.

Once moistened and then lightly rubbed onto the cut a styptic pencil leaves a chalky residue that acts as an effective coagulant.

It works for me!

[firstlight40 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks I'll give it a try sounds like a good addition to a first aid kit for those on DAPT

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

If you haven't got a Nix Stick as recommended by Chappychap handy you can try an ice cube for 30s (partners seem to enjoy this 😁) or Vaseline. I have a beard now to avoid the shaving ones. @

[Mentdent]

Happens to me too. Looks a lot but it’s not really. As someone else has said get a styptic. pencil

[Fethiye21]

I'm on both those drugs and bleed profusely from the tiniest of pimples/pin pricks/insect bites. İt can take an hour and several bandage changes before it's finished. I thought it was just me!!

[Wilko110150]

Chappychap is spot on with the Nikstick recommendation. I have always had one for shaving nicks. In case it’s of any benefit, I have found that using long sweatbands on my wrists/lower arms is a good way of avoiding scratches and bleeds when I’m doing odd jobs or visiting anyone with cats or dogs who often grab your arms to greet you and inadvertently cause a scratch because of thin skin. Obviously, this is when you’re wearing short sleeves.

[Padhappy]

Also ask family to make sure that the wound is clean and doesn’t go red or warm or feel painful over the next few days. If it does- get it checked by a Dr to make sure it hasn’t become infected.

[firstlight40 in reply to Padhappy]

Thanks, 2 days later all is fine

[Jazz100]

My hubby had to stop wet shaving as it was just too iffy. I have bought him the pencil thing. He has really dry skin so he has the doubtful pleasure of me rubbing cream on anything that looks as if it may bleed at some point. My sheets are/were suffering. I think it’s really important to use the correct soap and also have a really good skin regime. Women I think are possibly better at this than men…that’s why I keep an eye on hubby…oh and I should say he had nosebleeds too but got a good cream from the GP to deal with that.

[valeriep]

Unfortunately, this is a common side-effect of anti-platelet therapy, so don't panic. I ended up having to protect my pillow by covering it with a towel at night, because if my toothbrush scratched my gums while I was brushing my teeth, I'd wake up looking like Dracula! Especially after I sneezed violently before going to bed and woke up to find I'd burst a blood vessel in my eye - apparently also common on this kind of medication.

[Fish4Info]

Bruising and quite a bit of blood loss from pin prick injuries are common side effects of dual anti-platelet therapy. Could be worth a chat with your gp or consultant. Just a word of warning though. Please watch out for plack poos (or motions). I had these about 14 years ago when I was on Clopidigrel and Aspirin after a bypass op. They are due to gastro-intestinal bleeds and are quite serious. Not being attuned to the warning signs, I lost quite a bit of blood over a few days and got quite anaemic. The dr took me off clopidogrel. Have been ok ever since.

[firstlight40 in reply to Fish4Info]

Thanks, yes I was aware of the issue of internal bleeds (particularly in the stomach and in the head) but it's a good reminder for people reading the thread.

Prescription of a PPI drug (like lanzoprazole in my case) as a preventative is I understand it an attempt to stop ulcers developing and causing an issue.