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You are cleaning an onion for supper when the knife slips off the slippery skin and slides right into your thumb. You start bleeding immediately. What on earth are you doing to do?
Assess the Damage
When treating cuts and scrapes, you first need to assess the damage. Minor cuts may only require some first aid and the bleeding stops within a few minutes.
When To Get Medical help
However, if the cut is deep and you can see bone, or the blood is bright red and spurting from your wound, get medical help fast! Spurting blood means you probably damaged an artery, and it takes a professional to put stitiches in deep cuts.
Back to Minor
Once you are sure your cut is minor, apply pressure to the wound. If possible, put a bandage or clean towel over the cut before putting firm pressure on the wound. A the cloth becomes soaked with blood, apply another cloth over the first one. Avoid tearing off the first bandage because you might disturb coagulating blood cells and the bleeding will start all over again. When you don’t have cloth handy, use start all over again. When you don’t have cloth handy, use your fingers.
Don’t Mess Around
Whatever you do, avoid using tourniquets. These devices are strictly for use by professionals. If they are not watched carefully, you can easily cut the circulation off to a limb and cause permanent damage. If you find the bleeding still won’t stop after five to 10 minutes with pressure, call 911 and get help fast. Stay calm and continue applying pressure until paramedics arrive.
For Nosebleeds …
For nosebleeds, sit down, lean forward, and pinch your nostrils shut for at least 15 minutes. The bleeding should stop after awhile. Leaning forward prevents the blood from flowing back into your sinus cavities, where it might cause sinus infection.
If you accidently bite you longue, wet a tea bag with warm water and hold it on your tongue until the bleeding stops. The tannins in the tea act as a coagulant and helps your blood clot faster.
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