Thread: What's in a styptic?

I grow alum crystals with my kids. I grab one of those and started rubbing it around my face as I heard that 'alum blocks' were 'styptics'. The alum crystal doesn't stop bleeding so well...and doesn't hurt.

My daughter got upset at me commandeering her crystal, so I bought a styptic pencil.

HOLY MOTHER OF MOSES!!!! That damn thing hurts like a house on fire!

Doesn't stop the bleeding though. What's in that thing?

Google always answers the tough ones by giving you a link to Wiki. :<0) Antihemorrhagic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Wiki link that 10pups posted gives you lots of info.

I haven't used my Clubman styptic pen in years, but I took it out and read the ingredients:
* aluminum sulfate (active)
* titanium dioxide (inactive)

And, I agree, placing a styptic against a facial cut burns... like Ghost Rider's face on a good day.

Real men use 25% Ammonia... or let it bleed, once you try the Ammonia, you want me to bleed!

Originally Posted by henryconchile

The Wiki link that 10pups posted gives you lots of info.

I haven't used my Clubman styptic pen in years, but I took it out and read the ingredients:
* aluminum sulfate (active)
* titanium dioxide (inactive)

And, I agree, placing a styptic against a facial cut burns... like Ghost Rider's face on a good day.

Interesting. Aluminum Sulfate (not 'alum') versus Potassium Aluminum Sulfate (is alum). 'splains it.

The formulation causes the blood to coagulate and in the process you get the burning. Of course it's designed for minor shaving nicks not a gusher.

For a gusher you need the powdered stuff! Or pull the bullet out with your teeth...

The same stuff they use in breaking bad to get rid of bodies...