While shaving, you manage to cut yourself ever so slightly, only for it to gush blood like an unfixable faucet leak. 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. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Get help from someone nearby: Have them call 911 or get you to an emergency room. Seek medical attention if you notice signs of infection, including: The healing process takes about three weeks, but the first step is crucial. To stop the bleeding: Put a clean towel or bandage on the wound Press. Make sure you've removed any dirt and debris that might've gotten into the wound, using tweezers if you have to. But bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. Learn more about these serious fractures, how theyre treated, and what to expect. Oral corticosteroids used to treat conditions like asthma could also affect wound healing. Heres what you need to know. Seek professional help for a nosebleed if bleeding does not stop after about 20 minutes, or if the nosebleed is related to a fall or injury. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a Td booster shot every 10 years so you're covered in situations like this. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. It may begin bleeding again. 2. Hold it for 5 minutes straight, no breaks. We've all been there-maybe you sliced the tip of your finger instead of the bagel, nicked yourself shaving, or got swiped at by a feisty cat. It looks a little like a lip balm and you can stock up on the tool at any pharmacy or on Amazon. Dont have either of these? A bleeding cut (or laceration) can be a painful and even frightening injury if the cut is especially deep or long. 10 It's Not Easy To Shave. But too much bleeding. Apply unused, unscented balm to the nick, to occlude the cut and prevent blood from escaping as well as any germs from creeping in.The best means of delivery is a squeezable tube, so that you know none of the product has been exposed to air or germs (like those on your fingers or lips). Before you begin to treat an injury, you should identify its severity as best you can. Regardless, youve got a situation on your hands (or rather, on your face), and you need to get yourself looking presentable, fast. It may be a little harder to come by, but you can find alum blocks on Amazon and some old school barber shops. You may also need a special bandage or wound dressing. If you think the cut could be infected, see your health provider ASAP. Photographs courtesy Getty Images; Collage by Gabe Conte. Youll clear it away in the next step. Remove obvious debris from the wound, such as sticks or grass. Splash some cold water on the area first, then apply your tool of choice. Traditional bandages cover the wound, but they dont seal the injury completely, meaning water and bacteria can still find their way in, says Melinda Cettina, You should also see a doctor if the cut is caused by the bite of a human or animal. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Dont try to clean it. a splash of battery acid tones the skin right up. 7 Best Manscaping Tips - How to Manscape and Safely Shave Balls Add another layer if blood soaks through the cloth or pad. Do not apply a tourniquet unless the bleeding is severe and not stopped with direct pressure. This could dislodge the clot and cause bleeding to begin again. Squeeze your nostrils together for 15 minutes, Go to the emergency room right away if it doesnt stop after three tries, Put a clean towel or bandage on the wound, Press on it firmly until the bleeding stops, Wear a bike helmet and other types of safety gear when needed, Wear protective gloves when working with tools of all kinds, Dont wear sandals or other open-toe shoes to avoid cuts on your feet, Put a clean towel, cloth, or bandage on the wound, Press on it firmly until the bleeding stops (dont press on something stuck in your. Swelling, redness or warmth around the wound. "They could go to urgent care to stop the bleeding," says Dr. Lee. Use this if a limb has a deep cut and is bleeding profusely. 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). Ad Choices. (2014, October 21). All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. How to Tell If You Need Medical Care, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Gunshot Wound: First Aid, Recovery, and Outlook, Beat the Heat with a Cold Bath: 8 Tips for a Refreshing Dip. Policy, Quick action and proper care can make a big difference. 1 Doing so will give you a clearer sense of how deep the cut is. Shaving cuts happen to the best of us, whether were new to shaving or have been doing it for decades. 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. Does Alcohol Affect Deep Vein Thrombosis? Check with your primary care physician if youre not sure. This can trigger anxiety and fear, but bleeding has a healing purpose. sydneygamer 10 yr. ago. You can buy a wound cleanser at your local pharmacy. Heres how to shave with a razor without cutting yourself. There are some situations in which you shouldnt try to administer any kind of first aid at all. Leave the cut uncovered if its not likely to get dirty or rub against clothes or other surfaces. Depending on the size of the cut, you may always have a scar, but for many minor cuts, after several weeks or months, you may not even be able to locate the site of the wound. 1. How to treat minor cuts - American Academy of Dermatology Cold water helps to constrict the blood vessels and stop bleeding. Use toilet paper or a cotton ball to swab your chapstick and apply it with pressure to the cut. If that doesnt work, try a decongestant nose spray. If your wound is super small or youre in a rush, it can be tempting to skip disinfecting it. Yet, adults can have nosebleeds related to high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries, and it may be more difficult to stop them. One of the benefits of Hydro Seal is that it prevents scabbing by sealing the wound, explains Cettina. This kind of injury carries a higher rate of infections. Nicks from shaving, scrapes from falling off of a bike, and even pricking a finger with a sewing needle can result in excessive bleeding. Its a small brick or pen-shaped tool, made of the mineral potassium alum. Do this for 30 minutes. Ouch! Everything You Need to Know About How to Shave Without Getting Cut Hemostatic gauze has medicine on it that helps blood quickly clot. It includes treating the cut with ice cubes, cold water, hot water, mouthwash, lip balm, sugar among many others. Whitening eye drops, used as quick solutions on everything from cuts to acne, are a good temporary fix for your shaving nicks. Remember, youre dragging a razor across your face that thing is sharp as hell. Learn how to treat a bitten lip at home. The Best Yoga Mats, According to Top Yoga Instructors, Jillian Michaels Urges Fans to Stay Away From the Keto Diet, Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, Why 'Love Is Blind' star Deepti Vempati didn't talk about her eating disorder with her family, Christina Aguilera says stigma 'that it's shameful to get older' in the public eye makes her 'really sad'. Instead of using warm or tepid water from the bathroom sink, grab an ice cube and apply it with pressure to your cut. An antiseptic spray, applied at the site of the cut, can help staunch blood flow and also reduce the risk of a cut becoming infected later on. Once youre shaving, dont press down: Instead, just pull parallel to the contour of your skin and let your razor do the work. 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. An old, dull blade combined with a less-than-stellar shaving technique can cause cuts to happen more frequently. Reapply a fresh, barely-there layer of balm, and again throughout the dayand especially at night, before bed. Dont have either of these? Have a Stubborn Wound That Just Won't Heal? | Johnson & Johnson Cleaning the cut, covering it with a clean dressing, and elevating it to help stop the bleeding and swelling, will boost your chances of keeping a simple cut from causing further medical complications. "As Black Men, We Keep Things Close to the Hip": 5 Questions for a Urologist About Prostate Cancer. It's the most dangerous part of your body to shave because you can't see all of the hair you're trying to remove, such as the hairs on your bottom or the ones nearest your vagina. Taylor of Old Bond Street aftershave, $16.99 Buy it here. If youre not sure what to buy, ask the pharmacist. A DIY method could leave a scar, and because cherry angiomas are made of blood vessels, a basic Band-Aid might not stop the bleeding. There's an App for That. First of all, make sure youre properly prepping your skin before you shave, and always using a fresh blade. If the wound is on an arm or leg, raise the limb above the heart to slow bleeding. Many people like to shave right after or during a shower because the skin is warm, hydrated, and clean from oil and dead skin buildup. A cut finger may require only a few stitches. First Aid for Bleeding: Here's What to Do If You Cut Yourself | SELF Sure, a nick on your fragile cheeks might not be as painful as. 5 Simple Yet Effective Steps To Avoid Cutting Yourself While Shaving Its estimated that over 300 million people around the globe are living with a rare disease. Bleeding serves a useful purpose because it helps to clean out a wound. Apply a. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Even if you can stop the bleeding, a doctor should examine a deep cut because it may need stitches or other advanced wound closure. Theres a whole market for aluminum-free deodorants. However, if your. However, too much bleeding can cause your body to go into shock. An alum block looks a lot like a bar of soap and feels like a stone, and in the event of a rather nasty cut, its a good thing to have in your shaving artillery. Dont ignore a wound that wont stop bleeding just because it looks small or isnt painful. Injuries and certain medical conditions can result in bleeding. 5. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you might shrug it off or think this is normal. Bleeding serves a useful purpose because it helps to clean out a wound. These could raise your risk of blood clots. Learn six home remedies to stop bleeding caused by small cuts. How to Shave Without Cutting Yourself Some serious injuries bleed very little. Adults are advised to have a tetanus booster every 10 years. Have the person sit down and lean their head forward. Stop Bleeding Apply direct pressure on the cut or wound with a clean cloth, tissue, or piece of gauze until bleeding stops. (2015). Just keep in mind that while there are plenty of anecdotal reports of this working, there are no good clinical studies to support this either, says Dr. Sosa. Its made up of aluminum potassium sulfate, the same ingredient in a styptic pencil. Using bits of toilet paper may be a classic move, but it could take a while to stop the bleeding, and frankly, looks ridiculous. Place a clean and dry piece of material such as a bandage, towel, or cloth on the wound and apply pressure with both hands. Forget the toilet paper wad and try these easy options instead. Its a blood vessel constrictor, or vasoconstrictor, so it curtails blood flow when applied to a wound., .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}This Coffee Shop Provides Free Therapy for Men, How To Stop Poop From Burning After Spicy Food, What to Do When You Hit Your Head Really Hard, 4 Things Every Man Should Know About Testosterone, The Truth About Testosterone and Your Libido, 20 Minutes of Exercise Lowers Hospitalization Risk. If youve injured your hand, a bandage might be able to help in the healing process. 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. It could be that your blade was too dull, or you slide a little too across with the razor instead of down. Hint: You may be making simple mistakes that are preventing your body from healing. The keys to treating a bleeding finger are stopping the flow of blood, if possible, and determining whether it needs medical attention. Dr. Fertel says a deep cut is any wound thats gaping, jagged and looks deep, revealing fat or muscle. Use it to pack deep cuts on the neck or torso, Dr. Fertel says. But what if your cut isn't mending quickly? Youll need something stronger if its really dirty. But if you slip up, despite knowing how to shave without getting cut, at least now you know how to stop bleeding from shaving, which means you can leave the TP where it belongs in the toilet. (That's why you see caffeine as a primary ingredient in many eye creams and serums.) Maybe you drew it over top of an ingrown hair or a barely-there mole. EMSK: 5 Surprising Ways to Stop A Shave Cut From Bleeding If the injury has caused serious skin damage, you may need a skin graft. Re-apply pressure if the bleeding starts again. It acts like an astringent to dry out and disinfect the targeted area. Folgers Classic Roast Ground Coffee, $6.99. Rather than distributing its pressure uniformly, these tiny sharp crags and grooves on the razor act like a serrated knife on your skin. Try to keep it from getting wet during the first day or so. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationLimit the Use of My Sensitive Personal InformationCookie Settings. Instead, pick up a styptic pencil, or alum block. for two reasons: The large number of blood vessels near the surface of your face, and the sharpness of your razor. Smearing on a little ChapStick or Vaseline works like a sealplus it'll keep bigger cuts from forming unsightly scabs. A cloudy fluid or pus draining from the wound is also a sign of possible infection. Mark Reiter, MD, American Academy of Emergency Medicine. And if you're not feeling the sting yet get some barbed wire. Get tips on first aid, CPR, and much. Accidents happen, but its important to get your bleeding under control. Blood thinners save lives. Salt. 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. By following these step-by-step instructions, you should be able to clean the wound, stop the bleeding, and start the healing process. Thats because, as your razor ages, water and pressure combine to corrode its finely honed edge, leaving it blunted and uneven. How to Treat Every Body Grooming Injury - Dollar Shave Club Hear me out: when youre desperate, youre willing to do anything, including dabbing a cut with antiperspirant. 9 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Stop A Shaving Cut From Bleeding And correctly treating small cuts helps prevent infection. Your favorite deodorant/antiperspirant probably has aluminum chloride in it, which shrinks sweat glands and in turn tones down your sweating. There are some skills you hope you never need to use, but having them could be a matter of life and. Just be sure to take note of when a cut requires an examination by a healthcare provider. If youre in need of a quick fix to your problems and dont particularly want to bandage your face, here are a few tips to stopping the (seemingly) unstoppable cut from the wrath of a blunt razor. Apply pressure to the cut using a clean washcloth or gauze. a deep wound if you see muscle or bone, get to an emergency room, a finger or hand joint that doesnt work properly, dirt or debris that you cant remove from the wound, blood spurting from the wound or blood that continues to soak through the dressing, numbness or tingling near the wound or farther down the hand or arm, redness that spreads around the cut or forms red streaks heading away from the cut, pain or tenderness around the cut that doesnt subside within a day or so, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. Youre left with the decision: continue to dab it with toilet paper until the bleeding stops or head to the office looking like Carrie. Pus (yellowish liquid) oozing out of the wound. Wet a cotton ball or tissue with eye drops and place it on the cut. A styptic, by definition, is a substance that stops bleeding.Aluminum sulfate, a naturally occurring mineral, is the usual active ingredient in this line of products, she says. While extremely disinfecting, anything with alcohol will significantly parch the skin instead of promoting healing. Using bits of toilet paper may be a classic move, but it could take a while to stop the bleeding, and frankly, looks ridiculous.