We may earn a commission from links on this page. 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. It really only takes a few seconds to clean any cut with some soap and clean water. Use one of these Mens Health-approved chapsticks, or good old-fashioned petroleum jelly, to stop up your shaving cut.Anything that seals the cut will enable it to clot faster and stop bleeding, says Dr. Mercuio. Please click below to continue to that site. If youre unsure if your injury needs a doctors evaluation, look for the following: A deep, long, or jagged cut may need stitches to close the wound. For this procedure, a healthcare provider will first clean the wound with a topical antibiotic. Eventually, the scab falls off to reveal healthy, shiny skin, and you feel as good as new just another day on the job for the incredible human body. To help ensure a healthy healing process, change the dressing daily or more frequently if it becomes wet, dirty, or bloody. This may make it bleed more. The person has a puncture wound or deep cut and hasnt had a. Learn why Black Americans are disproportionately affected and how Johnson & Johnson is helping to raise awareness about the disease. "A white bubble forms as Hydro Seal absorbs moisture, showing its working and maintaining the optimal environment for your healing wound," she says. Yet, adults can have nosebleeds related to high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries, and it may be more difficult to stop them. If the person develops a fever or begins to have pain again at the sign of the cut, seek medical attention immediately. A bleeding cut (or laceration) can be a painful and even frightening injury if the cut is especially deep or long. First, wash your hands If the cut is small, first head to the nearest sink and wash your hands to prevent spreading infection to the open wound, according to the Mayo Clinic. The site youre being redirected to is a branded pharmaceutical website. As we have alluded to above, the key to healing shaving cuts is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Help the person to remain calm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a Td booster shot every 10 years so you're covered in situations like this. Get tips on first aid, CPR, and much. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Rescue your face from shaving irritation! You might know of it by the terms styptic pen(cil) or styptic block.". BAND-AID Brand HYDRO SEAL adhesive bandages are specially designed to help seal wounds. Stop the bleeding. You dont need to go all muscle-beast on your poor mug a light touch and fewer strokes will do the job just fine. If youve cut yourself with a new blade, its often the result of applying too much pressure. There's an App for That. If the wound is deep or dirty, consider getting a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past five years, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hold it for 5 minutes straight, no breaks. If ice cubes are available, rub them over the cut. Swelling, redness or warmth around the wound. "Apply constant pressure for several minutes to allow natural clotting to occur," explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Even a tiny shaving cut is an open wound, which provides a portal for bacteria to enter your body, potentially leading to infections. 1. If you choose a lip balm stick, though, you can scrape off any part of the chapstick that has touched your lips to remove any germs.). 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. Here's what to do for a minor cut: Stop bleeding by putting pressure on the area with a tissue, gauze pad, or clean cloth. Salt will stop a cut from bleeding. To help preserve the use of your finger after an injury, its crucial to clean the wound and, Identifying the early warning signs of an infected cut can help you to reduce your risk for serious complications, such as sepsis. The bleeding should stop after a few minutes. Even if you can stop the bleeding, a doctor should examine a deep cut because it may need stitches or other advanced wound closure. Apply pressure Place clean gauze or cloth on the wound and apply direct pressure. It could be that your blade was too dull, or you slide a little too across with the razor instead of down. If you think the cut could be infected, see your health provider ASAP. Place a clean and dry piece of material such as a bandage, towel, or cloth on the wound and apply pressure with both hands. Instead of using warm or tepid water from the bathroom sink, grab an ice cube and apply it with pressure to your cut. Hint: You may be making simple mistakes that are preventing your body from healing. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationLimit the Use of My Sensitive Personal InformationCookie Settings. Step-by-step first aid for a bleedingfinger, Length of time a cut on yourfingertakes to heal, What to do if you accidentally cut off the tip of yourfinger, aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/injured-skin/minor-cuts, hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-wounds-heal, mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cuts/basics/art-20056711, urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=2978, Treating a Cut Finger Injury, and When to See a Doctor, How to Identify and Treat an Infected Cut, Do I Need Stitches? The common circulatory condition is a leading cause of amputations in the U.S. Wet a cotton ball or tissue with eye drops and place it on the cut. "As Black Men, We Keep Things Close to the Hip": 5 Questions for a Urologist About Prostate Cancer. Put eye drops on your cut Whitening eye drops, used as quick solutions on everything from cuts to acne, are a good temporary fix for your shaving nicks. Dont have either of these? The first reason is just natures way the second reason, not so much. They dont go any deeper than the skin, and theres no substantial blood loss. If that doesnt work, they should be seen by a provider," says David Brill, DO, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. But bleeding from the gums indicates an underlying problem. If the initial scab covering the wound grows bigger or becomes surrounded by redness, there may be an infection. If you suspect that theres internal bleeding or if theres an embedded object surrounding the site of the injury, immediately call 911 or your local emergency services. Instead, pick up a, . Keep putting direct pressure on the cut. Lip Balm. Injuries and certain medical conditions can result in bleeding. You can get away with shaving your own armpits and legs, but probably not your pubes. If the person is unable to do this, put on latex gloves and hold the nose for them for five to 10 minutes. Sometimes you can see the signs of a resulting infectionswelling, tenderness, redness, oozing pusbut other times the infection might be smaller, and wont have the telltale symptoms. Make a tourniquet only if you know how and your injury is life-threatening. Could a cold bath be the key to beating rising temperatures? For stubborn small bleeds, you may need to hold pressure for 15 minutes without interruption to allow a clot to form. Keep it in place with medical tape or your hands. It acts like an astringent to dry out and disinfect the targeted area. While this will help seal in the blood, the blood will still be visible. Instead, allow us to share a couple other ways to heal those nicks and cutswith steps to simultaneously disinfect and heal. The warm water will help clean the cut, and the bleeding should slow meanwhile. Instead, pick up a styptic pencil, or alum block. We suggest using an aftershave lotion instead, and saving the alum for proper nicks and cuts, to prevent overdrying the skin. Whitening eye drops, used as quick solutions on everything from cuts to acne, are a good temporary fix for your shaving nicks. Luckily, if youre in a pinch, your stick of antiperspirant will do just fine all three contain ingredients that tighten your skin and constrict your blood vessels, which will quickly stop you from bleeding all over the place. slimpicker 10 yr. ago. Splash some cold water on the area first, then apply your tool of choice. 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. Use warm water and mild soap, and be gentle. Bad idea. If youve injured your hand, a bandage might be able to help in the healing process. When everything goes well, most basic cuts and scrapes typically take about one to two weeks to heal, and those that are particularly large could need more time. If you have a shaving cut, splash enough cold water over your skin. Leave the cut uncovered if its not likely to get dirty or rub against clothes or other surfaces. When the wound is clean and no longer bleeding, it's time to start the healing. The wound may look puckered and feel a little itchy as its healing, but thats normal. Dont have either of these? Ad Choices. When you cut yourself shaving, you bleed like crazyfor two reasons: The large number of blood vessels near the surface of your face, and the sharpness of your razor. Heres what you need to know. The following tips apply to relatively mild injuries. Use a tea bag. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you might shrug it off or think this is normal. Rescue your face from shaving irritation! Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. While shaving, you manage to cut yourself ever so slightly, only for it to gush blood like an unfixable faucet leak. When the wound stops bleeding, release the pressure. 5. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Table of Contents Step 1: Dont Dry Your Face Step 2:. Hear me out: when youre desperate, youre willing to do anything, including dabbing a cut with antiperspirant. Most people dont want to see their own blood, let alone someone elses! It includes treating the cut with ice cubes, cold water, hot water, mouthwash, lip balm, sugar among many others. Sometimes, though, infection sets in before a scab can form. Han G, et al. 7. For stubborn small bleeds, you may need to hold pressure for 15 minutes without interruption to allow a clot to form. Once the bleeding has stopped, which should take a few minutes at most for a minor cut, take the covering away to let it start healing. Make sure you've removed any dirt and debris that might've gotten into the wound, using tweezers if you have to. A wound that penetrates the chest or abdomen. You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Bleeding can't be stopped after 10 minutes of firm and steady pressure. Blood thinners save lives. Once youre shaving, dont press down: Instead, just pull parallel to the contour of your skin and let your razor do the work. Apply petroleum jelly. Youre left with the decision: continue to dab it with toilet paper until the bleeding stops or head to the office looking like Carrie. If youve cut yourself with a new blade, its often the result of applying too much pressure. (2017). And you should always speak with your physician before altering your medication regimen. You might notice trace redness in the balm from any last blood drainage. You can also follow any of the above-listed methods to stop the bleeding. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Living With DVT: Tips to Keep Away Blood Clots. 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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. In fact, you probably have a bunch of these options in your bathroom or kitchen right now.Most of the time, a shaving cut is super minor and will clot quickly, but there can be some reasons why the bleeding seems to go on and on. If youre not sure what to buy, ask the pharmacist. If the blood soaks through the gauze or cloth, add more gauze or another cloth and apply more pressure. When you cut yourself shaving, you bleed like one of the Crazy 88 gang in Kill Bill for two reasons: The large number of blood vessels near the surface of your face, and the sharpness of your razor. Gently clean with soap and warm water. If a major artery is cut, a person can lose a life-threatening amount of blood in just 5 minutes. 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. Alum is one of the most classic, reliable methods of stopping a shave cut. If your favorite bottle of aftershave includes some kind of alcoholwhich many of them doyoure in luck. However, if your. Many deodorants are actually made of some form of aluminum (referred to as aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminium choride) which helps to constrict blood vessels. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Sure, a nick on your fragile cheeks might not be as painful as. Your face will thank you for it. Well show you, When you get a cut or other wound, it can be hard to tell when to treat it at home and when to get stitches. Smearing on a little ChapStick or Vaseline works like a sealplus it'll keep bigger cuts from forming unsightly scabs. Heres how to fix (and avoid) those cuts properly. A minor cut should heal in under a week. Saline solution is a safe option and cleans most cuts. Use of this site constitutes your consent to application of such laws and regulations and to our Privacy Policy. All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. Common questions about wound care. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Sometimes that small cut just needs some patience. Here, Bleeding gums are often a symptom of gum disease, but they can also point to other health problems. In most cases, the healing process should start within 24 hours. From staying hydrated to sitting less, what you can do. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We avoid using tertiary references. The goal to eliminate prostate cancer starts with getting people to talk about itespecially Black men, who are two times more likely to die from the disease than most other men. Have them push the bleeding nostril firmly against the septum (the dividing wall in the nose). 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. Try to get the injured person to safety, call 911 or local emergency services, and apply pressure to stop, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) keeps blood and oxygen flowing when a persons heart and breathing have stopped. With that in mind, heres what you should know about how to stop any of this from happening. You cant always judge the seriousness of a cut or wound by the amount it bleeds. If you experience other side effects such as bleeding gums, new nosebleeds, or easy bruising along with your shaving nicks, reach out to your doctor, she suggests. Take a clean washcloth and run it under warm water. It may begin bleeding again. Apply a little petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help reduce scarring and speed up healing. Still, despite knowing how to shave without getting cut, accidents happen, and there are times in your life when youll need to know how to stop bleeding from shaving, too. Forget the toilet paper wad and try these easy options instead. 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. (2015, March 29), youngwomenshealth.org/2012/07/30/cuts-and-scrapes/, mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-nosebleeds/basics/art-20056683, mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-severe-bleeding/basics/art-20056661, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/nosebleed-epistaxis, nhs.uk/chq/Pages/990.aspx?categoryid=72&subcategoryid=725, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, How to Treat a Bite on the Inside of Your Lip, How to Treat a Bleeding Cut on Your Finger: Step-by-Step Instructions, What You Need to Know About Bleeding Gums, theres dirt that wont come out after washing, the bleeding will not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of first aid. Keep pressing on it. How the Microbiome Could Transform Your Skin in Surprising Ways, How Surprising New Research Is Tapping the Powers of the Immune System. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You may have heard about alternative remedies for helping a wound stop bleeding-usually, these involve placing ingredients like paprika, bentonite clay, or coffee grounds on the cut to help the blood clot. Its estimated that over 300 million people around the globe are living with a rare disease. If youve been staunching the blood flow with a wad of toilet paper or just slapping on a Band-Aid, we have good news for you: There are easier ways to .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}stop your cut from bleeding. If you have a cut finger or are examining someone elses injury, do the following: You may need a tetanus shot if you havent had one in several years. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Regardless of what you use to stop a shaving cut from bleeding, the goal is to apply sufficient pressure to the wound in order to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. "Unless someone has a bleeding disorder, applying pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, at most, should be effective. 10 It's Not Easy To Shave. Follow these tips: Call 911 or go the emergency room right away if: National Blood Clot Alliance: Living Your Best Life While Taking Blood Thinners., Michigan Medicine: Taking Care of a Cut: For People Taking Blood Thinners., The American College of Surgeons Division of Education: Surgical Patient Education Program., Mayo Clinic: Severe bleeding: First Aid., The American Academy of Oral Medicine: Blood Thinners and Dental Care., Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality: Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely., University Hospitals Harrington Hearth & Vascular Institute: How to Prevent Bleed While Taking Blood Thinners., University of Utah Health: ER or Not: Nosebleed.. Apply antibiotic cream to reduce risk of infection and cover with a sterile bandage. Put. You should also see a doctor if the cut is caused by the bite of a human or animal. 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