Best way to stop the bleeding?

**cnnc97** · 08-09-2010, 08:43 AM

I was shaving in a hurry last Friday before heading out of town for a weekend with the guys and I nicked myself pretty good. I thought it had stopped after using the styptic pencil, but looked in the mirror a few minutes later to see blood on almost half of my neck.

I tried the pencil again, tried New Skin liquid bandage, and finally had to put a real band aid on. Replaced that one after 10 minutes as it was starting to soak through.

What do you guys use or recommend if I manage this one again? Usually the only place I nick myself is on a couple of moles on my neck and the pencil usually works fine.

**Den** · 08-09-2010, 08:49 AM

Try a pressing a cloth soaked in very cold water against it. After a few minutes the bleeding should have calmed down. Then take out the pencil and go heavy with it. Works for me.

Anything more and you might need stitches.

**wulfgar1976** · 08-09-2010, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Den

Try a pressing a cloth soaked in very cold water against it. After a few minutes the bleeding should have calmed down. Then take out the pencil and go heavy with it. Works for me.

Anything more and you might need stitches.

Or super glue. I have heard that it was originally developed to bond skin for use in a hospital's Accident and Emergency department.

I cut my arm rather badly some years ago and the nurse glued it shut. There was a burning sensation, but it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. It might be worth keeping a tube near your shaving paraphernalia if you're going to be shaving in a hurry quite often

**tsmba** · 08-09-2010, 09:15 AM

Direct pressure has always worked best for me. Styptic pencils and the roll-on products seem to help a little, but won't really stop a bleed fast.

**Groat** · 08-09-2010, 09:26 AM

I've been finding that the styptic pencil works great for most nicks, but I gave myself more of a scrape the other day that wouldn't respond to it. I just gave it some time and toilet paper and it closed up eventually.

**cnnc97** · 08-09-2010, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by wulfgar1976

Or super glue. I have heard that it was originally developed to bond skin for use in a hospital's Accident and Emergency department.

I cut my arm rather badly some years ago and the nurse glued it shut. There was a burning sensation, but it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. It might be worth keeping a tube near your shaving paraphernalia if you're going to be shaving in a hurry quite often

That's what the New Skin liquid bandage basically does. It didn't work for some reason though. I've used it many times in the past and had good results, stings like an SOB.

**Luc** · 08-09-2010, 01:55 PM

You shouldn't rush your shaves but I can understand that it might happen. I would recommend doing 2 passes instead of 3 next time. It will reduce the risks of cutting yourself.

However, back to the question. Very cold water always work for me and when I apply a splash, I usually see some smoke coming up and it's sealed.

**LarryAndro** · 08-09-2010, 01:55 PM

Which brings back memories of my father, (or me later), coming out of the bathroom after shaving with a double edge blade with little bits of toilet paper stuck to his face. Every white spot surrounded a smaller red dot of blood.

**Uncle Erik** · 08-09-2010, 05:09 PM

I usually go after it with the alum block, then seal it up with a liquid bandage. Sometimes that's not enough, so I'll go for a Band-Aid. Occasionally, I'll use a scrap of paper towel instead of toilet paper since it's more absorbent and holds up better.

**Hank21** · 08-11-2010, 01:11 AM

You might want to go to a dermatologist and see if you can get them removed.

berryrock · 08-11-2010, 05:44 AM

First of all, You make sure the person is sitting or lying down. After that, clean to remove dirt and foreign debris. Last, apply a sterile bandage or dressing to the wound. I think this is the easiest way to stop bleeding.

**BCatl** · 08-11-2010, 05:58 AM

Sounds like you were bleeding pretty bad. I don't know if you are taking a baby aspirin every day, or some other drug or supplement that might have contributed to it, or maybe it was just a really bad nick.

You say you used the NuSkin many times in the past, I'm starting to worry! Definitely make sure there is plenty of light in the bathroom so you can see what you're doing! Steady has she goes!

**honed** · 08-11-2010, 05:58 AM

Do as the boxers, get the styptic in there real good.
Apply pressure until bleeding stops.

**eyeguy** · 08-11-2010, 06:11 AM

I think I'd go with ice inside a wet washcloth & 5 minutes of pressure. Alot of times, its just that extra minute of pressure that'll do it. Time it if you need to. 5 minutes seems like an eternity until you look at the clock. I know styptic is favored here, but I say get some Silver Nitrate sticks too. The do leave a little black spot on the skin, but they work great. I pulled a wart off my finger, roots & all, & nothing at all worked until I broke out the Silver Nitrate. This stuff stopped a bleed that was dripping at 1 drop per second off my fingertip!!

**cnnc97** · 08-11-2010, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by BCatl

Sounds like you were bleeding pretty bad. I don't know if you are taking a baby aspirin every day, or some other drug or supplement that might have contributed to it, or maybe it was just a really bad nick.

You say you used the NuSkin many times in the past, I'm starting to worry! Definitely make sure there is plenty of light in the bathroom so you can see what you're doing! Steady has she goes!

Never from shaving, I was talking about other cuts.

**Bay Rum** · 08-11-2010, 09:05 AM

I used to run a folding carton plant that used steel rule dies. When one of the die cutters cut himself he stuck his finger in shalack. It stopped the bleeding instantly.

**Lawson-Stone** · 08-11-2010, 09:10 AM

Many people don't use the styptic pencil correctly. I like to wet the tip, then hold it on the cleaned nick for several seconds. It works by constricting the tiny blood vessels below the surface, not by clotting at the surface. A larger nick might have more vessels to constrict. It might be large enough that the styptic pencil's mechanism of operation is just not enough. But I find if I wipe the nick and then apply the wet tip of the s.p. to it, maybe moving it slightly, holding it for several seconds, the bleeding stops and it's hard even to see the nick.