How To Stop Razor Cuts From Bleeding

Wounds inflicted from the blade of a razor blade is just as serious as any other cut wound. But there are other factors that can make a simple razor cut wound deadly. First would be infection. If the wound is left neglected, it is an invitation for germs and bacteria to enter the open skin. And when that happens, it could lead to more complications such as fever, pain, and gangrene. Infection is also deadly and is known to kill people from the smallest of wounds. The next factor that should be worried about is tetanus. It is a disease called by the impurities found in rust. It is characterized by random convulsions and muscle contractions in the body. While not serious at first, the muscles contractions could be strong enough to lead someone to break his own jaw or neck.

While these factors seem deadly and life-threatening, the good news is that they are relatively easy to prevent. For infection, just keeping the wound clean is enough to stop it from worsening by infection. Tetanus on the other hand can be prevented by vaccination. If a vaccine cannot be available, cleaning the wound will also prevent the impurities of rust from affecting the skin.

Razor blade wounds are not serious for as long as they do not cut too deep. Only one thing will tell you if the wound is dangerous, and that’s when lots of blood gushes out from the opening. This usually happens when the razor has slightly slashed or completely cut a major vein. Such incident is common among people who practice self-harm.

A major razor blade cut wound that causes severe bleeding can lead the patient to a terrifying situation leading to a slow death. At first, the blood loss will cause dizziness, nausea, and numbness before passing out. The patient may also go into shock. If too much blood has been lost, there is not much a simple household treatment can do. An ambulance must be called to deliver the patient to the hospital.

For simple cut wounds, or for stopping a major cut wound from leading to a significant loss of blood, there are various treatments and first aid measures. They are used to clean the wound, prevent infection for minor cut wounds. For deep, major cut wounds, first aid is only good for initial treatment and making sure the patient is in a stable condition while waiting for professional help to arrive.

Here are the treatments and first aids:

Minor Cut Wound:

1. Inspect the wound. Carefully check to see if the cut isn’t deep enough, or isn’t near any major vein, especially when the injury is on the wrist. It’s also best to take the blade or any sharp object away from harm’s reach.
2. Wash the wound. This is always the first step to most treatment. Washing the wound with running water helps in cleansing it from germs. The water will also wash away the blood so you may be able to inspect the wound properly without the blood obscuring it.
3. Stop the bleeding. For a minor cut wound, bleeding shouldn’t be severe. But if you notice an abnormal amount of blood, it’s best to move on to the treatment for major cut wounds while you call a doctor. To stop the bleeding of a minor wound, simply apply pressure around the injury, preferably with a clean cloth. Do not touch the wound with your bare hands, especially if they are not sanitized.
4. If there are any available, apply antiseptics and wound sterilizers. These include alcohol and Iodine. Such materials are used for cleaning the wound further than running water. Apply these on the wound to kill germs and prevent infection. Iodine is most preferable for most medical clinics and field medics because its long-lasting effect means it can keep killing off bacteria for several hours. It also stings less than alcohol.

If iodine and alcohol, or any other wound cleansing products cannot be available at the present, you may use natural remedies found at home. A few of these include honey, vinegar, and sugar. These are applied on the wound to prevent infection.

5. Dress the wound. A minor cut wound can range from a simple accidental slice on the hand while cooking, or a small wound inflicted in a violent conflict with a knife involved. In cases such as these, a band aid or a medical gauze will do. Apply them on the wound and make sure they stay on for at least 4 hours. After this duration, it’s best to change the dressing, and repeat steps 4 and 5 until the wound completely heals.

Major Cut Wounds:

1. Take the person to a safe area. Most major cut wounds are either inflicted in a violent conflict, or inflicted through self-harm. Either way, the patient must be taken to a safe place, and any sharp object must be away from reach.

Note that most major cut wound patients are found either already unconscious, or  unstable.
Be advised to take extra care of such patients when escorting them.

2. Wash the bloody wound. This will not stop the bleeding, but it will help you determine the exact size and location of the cut.
3. Stop the bleeding. Apply pressure around the area of the wound. The purpose of this is to narrow the veins and reduce blood flow while the body clots the blood. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after much effort, it is best to call an ambulance for professional medical assistance.

Note that while applying pressure on the wound, it is not advisable to touch it with your bare hands. Take a clean cloth, place it over the wound, and apply pressure over the cloth.

4. Wash the wound again. This will help you determine whether the bleeding has lessened or stopped. Once there is barely any blood gushing out, it will be safe to apply antiseptics and wound dressings.
5. Visit a doctor. Even though you are certain that the bleeding has stopped and the wound is secured, a professional must be called to check the wound. This is to make sure that no further damage was done underneath the skin or within the veins. If needed, he may also apply sutures or wound closure strips.