Bleeding? Here’s How to Stop It Safely and Naturally

Bleeding doesn’t have to be scary! Learn 8 simple and natural ways to stop it fast- some remedies may surprise you!

Certain injuries can frequently be treated at home, but it’s crucial to know how to do it safely. If at all possible, the person tending to the wound should wash their hands and put on latex gloves. Let’s look at ways to stop mild bleeding at home.

Top 8 Natural Ways to Stop Bleeding

Apply Pressure

The best approach to stop bleeding from a wound is to apply pressure. Using both hands, apply pressure to the wound using a clean, dry piece of cloth, towel, or bandage. Until the bleeding stops, apply constant, firm pressure. The healing process may be hampered if you check to see if the bleeding has stopped too soon.

Elevate the Wound

Raising the affected area will help stop the bleeding by reducing the blood flow. Just elevate the hand or arm above the head if it is injured. If a lower limb injury occurs, elevate the injured part above the level of the heart while lying down.

Petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly is a common ingredient in cosmetics, such as lip balms and Vaseline products. It has a mixture of waxes and oils that can be applied to the skin to protect it. It’s possible that boxing and martial arts fans have witnessed combatants applying petroleum jelly to their wounds. Additionally, it can be used as a home remedy to arrest bleeding. For shallow cuts, petroleum jelly works best to stop the bleeding. After the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound to get rid of any last bits of jelly and wipe the skin dry beforehand.

Ice

When ice is applied to a cut, the blood vessels constrict, accelerating the formation of a clot and halting the bleeding. The most effective method is to apply ice to the wound after wrapping it in a fresh, dry cloth.

Tea

After dental work, tea is a common treatment for bleeding (1). On the wound, place a black teabag that has been soaked and left to cool in the refrigerator. Because tea contains tannins, which are hemostatic- that is, they cause blood to clot- using teabags is effective. Astringents found in tannins cause blood arteries to narrow. Additionally, it is a type of antiseptic that eliminates bacteria and keeps the area infection-free (2).

Witch Hazel

Typically found in liquid form, Witch Hazel is a North American plant that may be easily found in pharmacies, some grocery shops, and online. Applying it to the wound is known to reduce external bleeding (3). Since complementary medicines are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Association, it is crucial to utilize distilled Witch Hazel and purchase it from a reliable supplier.

Deodorant

Antiperspirant’s aluminum chloride may help a wound clot by constricting blood arteries and reducing sweat glands. Aluminum chloride was found to be a quick and efficient method of controlling minor external bleeding (4).

Mouthwash

The alcohol in mouthwash functions as an astringent, promoting a faster blood clot when applied to a wound. Additionally, oral bleeding from dental procedures can be treated with aminocaproic acid (Amicar) (5). To avoid dislodging a clot, try not to swish the liquid about in your mouth. Most pharmacies and internet retailers sell mouthwash that contains alcohol.

Preventing Infection While Cleaning a Wound

To avoid infection, the incision must be kept clean long after the bleeding has ceased. Wash the area around the wound with soap after rinsing it with cool water. Keep soap away from the wound. Use tweezers to remove any dirt or debris that may be inside the wound. Before using the tweezers, it is crucial to wipe them with rubbing alcohol.

When to Consult a Physician

A number of bleeding conditions can be considered potentially fatal, including:

• if blood is spurting from the wound
• blood is continuously leaking from the wound
• blood accumulating on the ground
• blood-soaked clothing
• blood-soaked bandages
• loss of all or a portion of an arm or limb
• when the bleeding victim loses consciousness or gets disoriented

In these cases, seek medical help immediately.

A person should see their doctor even if the bleeding has stopped if:

• injury was brought on by an animal or human bite
• the person has not received a tetanus vaccination in the last five years
• the wound may require stitches
• the dirt is difficult to clean
• there may be internal bleeding or shock
• there are indications of an infection

The leading avoidable cause of trauma-related deaths is uncontrolled bleeding. Therefore, understanding how to prevent or manage bleeding is crucial. Simple home remedies can control mild bleeding in the majority of situations. To avoid infection, minor wounds should be bandaged as soon as the bleeding has stopped.

References:

1. How to Use a Tea Bag to Stop Bleeding After a Tooth Extraction
   (https://www.adelaidedental.ca/blog/tooth-extraction-toronto/how-to-use-tea-bag-to-stop-bleeding-after-a-tooth-extraction/)




2. Topical green tea formulation with anti-hemorrhagic and antibacterial effects
   (Kalalinia F, Amiri N, Mehrvarzian N, Fazly Bazzaz BS, Iranshahi M, Shahroodi A, Arabzadeh S, Abbaspour M, Badiee Aaval S, Movaffagh J. Topical green tea formulation with anti-hemorrhagic and antibacterial effects. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2020 Aug;23(8):1085-1090. doi: 10.22038/ijbms.2020.41397.9782. PMID: 32952956; PMCID: PMC7478251.)




3. BLEEDING WOUND: TOP 10 FASTEST REMEDIES TO CURE YOUR BLEEDING WOUNDS
   (https://www.kimshealth.org/trivandrum/blog/bleeding-wound-top-10-fastest-remedies-cure-your-bleeding-wounds/#:~:text=Witch%20hazel%20has%20an%20astringent,clots%20and%20reducing%20blood%20supply.)




4. Efficacy and safety of aluminum chloride in controlling external hemorrhage: an animal model study
   (Nouri S, Sharif MR, Panahi Y, Ghanei M, Jamali B. Efficacy and safety of aluminum chloride in controlling external hemorrhage: an animal model study. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015 Mar 20;17(3):e19714. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.19714. PMID: 25964855; PMCID: PMC4417476.)




5. Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in patients with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions
   (van Galen KP, Engelen ET, Mauser-Bunschoten EP, van Es RJ, Schutgens RE. Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in patients with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Apr 19;4(4):CD011385. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011385.pub3. PMID: 31002742; PMCID: PMC6474399.)

Source-Medindia