7 Ways To Control A Small Bleed

Minor incidents do not just happen to children who often show up with a bruise on their leg, arm or even face because they fell while playing. All of us, including adults, are subject to falling, finger-cutting with a knife or can opener, etc. And in these cases, inevitably, can a small bleed occur? but it can still cause some concern for the injured person and even those around you.

To know how to proceed in situations where bleeding occurs, you must first understand what it represents and in which cases you may be concerned.

What represents a bleed and in what situations does it occur?

According to José Mauro Kutner, hematologist at the Israeli Albert Einstein Hospital, a bleeding represents the disruption of the integrity of blood vessels that supply a particular region of the body. "Usually this is due to trauma, but it can eventually be caused or aggravated by deficiencies in the individual's coagulation system," he adds.

Can bleeding be external and / or internal? one that occurs within an organ and is not visible. But when we talk about? Little bleeds? we refer to external injuries, which happen more often.

According to hematologist José Mauro Kutner, the most common external bleeding comes from minor day-to-day trauma. "For example, people who cut themselves by shaving, shaving, or even manipulating sharp instruments in the kitchen or at work," he says.

The professional explains that all parts and organs of the body are likely to bleed to a greater or lesser extent. "However, the most common is that this occurs in the parts most exposed to the environment and which are unprotected, ie the skin," he explains.

Can complications occur?

According to hematologist Kutner, minor skin bleeds, which quickly stop bleeding, do not usually present major problems. "Sometimes you have to be aware of the risk of infectious complications if a cut in the skin, although it stops bleeding, has not been properly cleaned, allowing bacteria to enter and proliferate," he says. "Depending on the bleeding site, even small, it may pose a greater risk, such as the eyes," he adds.

In cases of doubt regarding bleeding, the recommendation is always to seek medical advice, as directed by the hematologist.

How to control external bleeding or to proceed in such situations?

The practitioner explains that when the bleeding is due to minor trauma and there is a slight cut in the skin (for example, with a razor), it may be sufficient to compress the site for a few minutes. • If the cut is large or the bleeding is severe, medical help should be sought immediately. Depending on the case, you may even need to? Suture? (give points) on the spot ?, he adds.

Below is a list of these and other guidelines that may help in cases of bleeding:

1. Place a clean cloth or paper on the wound.
2. Put enough pressure on the spot to stop the bleeding.
3. If you cannot find a clean cloth or paper, squeeze the spot directly by hand or just a few fingers, until the bleeding stops or help arrives. If your hand is dirty or severed, compress using the victim's own hand.
4. If necessary, raise the victim's arm or leg while maintaining pressure on the wound.
5. In case of injury to the palm, press with a clean cloth and ask the victim to tighten. If you have bandages, place them over your fingers so that they close over the gauze or cloth in your hand. If possible, support the arm in a sling and take the victim to hospital.
6. Nosebleeding most often occurs when the vessels inside the nostrils rupture, either by knocking or as a result of sneezing, finger cleaning or blowing the nose. It may also arise as a result of high blood pressure. To control bleeding, the victim should sit down and, breathing through his mouth, pinch his nose with his fingers for about 10 minutes. If after this bleeding continues, the operation should be repeated. If bleeding persists, the victim should be taken to hospital.
7. Bleeding in the mouth usually occurs through the victim's teeth or after falling or knocking. The person should be seated and with a gauze pad they should squeeze the affected part between the fingers for about 10 minutes. If bleeding persists, as in other situations, she should seek medical advice.

What if the cut is in an artery?

In the case of artery cutting, according to Hilton Waksman, vascular surgeon at Israeli Albert Einstein Hospital, local compression should be done with a clean cloth (gauze or other sterile tissue, if any). • Compression should be sufficient to control the bleeding, maintaining it until proper medical care. Should not be withers, particularly in limbs (upper or lower), as they can cause worsening of the picture ?, adds.

But remember: the measures are only for first aid and for minor bleeding. In more severe cases, or if bleeding does not stop, seek medical help as soon as possible.

Stop the Bleed: How to Stop Bleeding During a Crisis (April 2024)