Accidents happen, but you might handle many minor bleeding injuries withbasic 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.
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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.
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 ofantibioticointment and cover with a bandage or gauze.
Remove the bandage every day to clean and check for signs of infection.
If a small cut bleeds excessively, you may have a blood clotting problem that requires a diagnosis.
But the most common reason forbleeding gumsisgingivitis(gum inflammation).Fortunately,gingivitis is reversible.
This can provide immediate help for bleeding.
But if you have gingivitis, you’ll need to do more.
Rinse with salt water or mouth rinse designed to treat gum inflammation.
Avoid harsh substances, such as tobacco and alcohol-containing mouth rinses.
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.
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 see 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.
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.
In the meantime, here’s what you might do:
Bleeding during pregnancy can be serious.
Postpartum bleedingis normal and can last from a few weeks to a month or more.
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 ofinflammationand 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.
You may needantibiotics, atetanus shot, or other medical care.
Summary
Usually, you’ve got the option to get minor bleeding under control.
It’s a matter of applying pressure and then cleaning and dressing the wound.
you’re able to 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.
See a healthcare provider if you think it may be infected or isn’t healing as it should.
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