Stopping bleeding

[Czech_Mate]

Evening all. (In my best Dixon of Dock Green voice)I cut myself while shaving today. As in pre-afib days I stuck a piece of tissue on it, but it took about an hour to stop bleeding. It was just a nick so there wasn't really much blood, but I was surprised that it didn't stop sooner. I'm on Eliquis 5mg 2x a day.Does anyone have any tips for stopping bleeding from simple wounds for someone on anticoagulant?

[jeanjeannie50]

What you need is a styptic pencil - Google it.

Jean

[Czech_Mate in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks, Jean.

[Stinky1953 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

This takes me back to my childhood - didn't know you could still get them!Tim

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Stinky1953]

Nor me. I used to work in a pharmacy in my teens and remembered them from there, so looked on Google.

[jeanjeannie50]

Other than that, press a small piece of tissue against the bleed and hold it there for a while, then very slowly ease off the pressure.

[mjames1]

It's called "Bleedstop". You can get it on Amazon, at least in the US. Medics use it. Comes in handy little packets and you just sprinkle on the cut or wound and apply pressure. Indicated for people on AC's (thinners). Haven't used it yet, but has very good reviews and lately have been carrying a packet with me along with my pills-in-pocket.

Jim

[Poochmom in reply to mjames1]

yup that’s what I use. Handy stuff. I have a feeling it is styptic powder but it worked like a charm.

[Palpman]

A pinch of cayenne pepper would do it. No burning whatsoever. Alternatively a bit of tobacco works wonders for bleeds.

[MWIC in reply to Palpman]

Haha how the hell did you discover these 😂😂

[Palpman in reply to MWIC]

Passed on in my family and have personally tested both over 5he years as I'm a bleeder.

[BobD Volunteer]

Alginate dressings (made from sea weed)

[Buffafly in reply to BobD]

Where do you get them?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Buffafly]

pharmacy

[Moongold7]

Try applying an ice pack - if you don't have one, a small bag of frozen peas or corn just as good!

[ObiDyer]

I've been on warfarin for over 20 years and never had any problems.. is your INR correct?

[Czech_Mate in reply to ObiDyer]

I was on warfarin for about 2 months when my GP first detected a problem. Then the checks were all within range. I was under the impression that it isn't necessary to check INR if you are on a NOAC.

[ObiDyer in reply to Czech_Mate]

It's not necessary for dosing but it's a measure of how (over?) effective the anticoagulant is in your body. That level of bleeding doesn't sound good to me (I'm not a medic..) so I would be banging on my doctor's door if it was happening to me!!

[55zuzanka61 in reply to ObiDyer]

INR level is not influenced by eliquis at all,testing it is of no use

Jerryzuzanka

[ObiDyer in reply to 55zuzanka61]

Not entirely true (eg pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/284... but my point is.. get it checked out! If that's the normal situation with apixaban I'll stick with warfarin!!

[glrnet]

superdrug.com/toiletries/tr... Amazon do it too. Used it for years, stings but works well.

[Ppiman]

One problem for me with expensive products such as "Woundseal" and "Bleedstop" is that they are likely to remain unused and have a short use by date. I keep mine in my car's First Aid kit in case of larger cuts while outdoors, but they are well past their date now.

As Jean suggests, putting pressure on a wound for a short time is the accepted way to stop bleeding, repeating as needed, or, as others have suggested, use a styptic pencil made from solidified alum, at around £2.00 a go. This stings but always stop shaving nicks in my experience.

Steve

[BlueINR]

A bit of pressure for a few minutes will help more than a piece of tissue. Better yet, as Jean posted, take a piece of tissue and hold it firmly on wound for a few minutes, and that will probably work.

[Tapanac]

just press hard for a Few minutes.

Get an electric razor!!!!!! Hope all ok now

[john-boy-92]

Depending on the bleed site, pressure to the area or Vaseline.

[Eddie49]

I agree with Tapanac. Swap to an electric razor. I was a bit doubtful but bought myself a Panasonic ESLV65 four years ago after a lifetime of wet shaving and now much prefer the electric. To purchase a good one is going to be expensive to start but the cost of blades is very expensive too.

[Auriculaire]

Had similar problem after cutting my finger once. I went through 4 plasters before the bleeding stopped after about 45 mins.

[SilverliningsForNow]

Wow! This is why I love this site. Didn’t know you could get anything at all for this. I am on it! Thanks so much everyone x

[Czech_Mate]

Thanks for all these contributions. When I was still normal (that's my wife laughing in the background 😂 )a piece of tissue with a bit of pressure would do the trick, but it didn't work this time.

Perhaps I should try an electric razor again; I did try one (quite) a few years ago and wasn't satisfied with the result.

However I was also thinking of other situations. I'm a pottering gardener and occasionally do other silly things (there she goes again 😂).

I guess this shows again how we all are different, but how we can usefully use our experiences to help each other.

Thanks again.

[frazeej]

Oxymetazoline (generic Afrin nose spray) is a potent vasoconstrictor and is frequently used in ER's to help control bleeding. I squirt some on a cotton ball and dab it on the cut, and it reduces the time it takes to stop the bleeding.

[Palpman]

Most of us do not have pharmaceuticals at home for bleeding or if we have then they are expired. We all have cayenne pepper or tobacco and it works instantly where direct pressure or ice takes too long.

When I go for bloods I always take some cayenne with me.

[Palpman]

Remove a bit from a cigarette and press onto wound for a few seconds.

[TINAHP]

I am on Apixaban. I use an ALUM Block. Cheap and effective.

[Van28]

when I had my 2nd ablation a nurse told me to use cayenne pepper if groin started bleeding. Never heard of it before.

[DawnTX]

I do not know if you have it available where you are but here in the states, we have a spray and also a Band-Aid to stop bleeding immediately. There’s always the old styptic pencil also. Curad is the maker here.

[MacGrumphy]

I am on 2 x 5mg Eliquis but haven't had any problems with small cuts. However, I have twice suffered major bleeds from my bowel and on the first occasion spent three nights in hospital. A colonoscopy revealed an internal haemorrhoid and I am currently waiting to have it banded. On the first occasion I was instructed to stop Eliquis for three days. On the second occasion (different doctor) ten days.

[Czech_Mate in reply to MacGrumphy]

Yes, I had a colonoscopy last autumn and was taken off the Eliquis 3 days before. However, I started them again too soon which led to temporary problems.

Next week I have a dental operation on the root of a tooth. Again I've been told to stop taking the Eliquis 3 days before. I'll be more careful about starting again this time.