Thread: Styptic Pencils...

Originally Posted by knitepoet

As a remote paramedic,(Get to do more stuff than a regular paramedic) I can tell you that the main risk of home sealing a major wound is the risk of infection.
That's the reason they scrub lacerations with providine before suturing or sealing with dermabond

I'm thinking that one of these:
would not only sterilize the wound but seal it up quite nicely...

I had neck surgery a few years back and the stapled up incission wouldn't stop bleeding later that night, so they called the doc back in. He had 4 nurses hold my arms and he put a knee on my chest and his hand on my forehead and stapled away on my neck. I snagged the staple gun after that and do my own closures at the house now. I put alcohol on the staples first to make sure they are clean before I shoot them.

And just want to mention an alum block works great as well and has many other uses like cut a small chunk of it like a tic tac size
and let it melt in your mouth on an ulcer also if you cut your dog nails to short it will stop the bleeding!!

Originally Posted by 96firephoenix

sooo... no one ever warned me I'd be better off pain-wise by just branding my nicks shut.

thoughts?

It builds character

Alum block, yes it does sting less try it

Ok, so call me weird...but I've used a styptic pencil for years and it doesn't hurt that much. Granted most of that time I shaved with cartridge shavers and I haven't had to use it yet with the straight. Does it hurt more when you use it after a straight slice?

Originally Posted by Martin103

And just want to mention an alum block works great as well and has many other uses like cut a small chunk of it like a tic tac size and let it melt in your mouth on an ulcer also if you cut your dog nails to short it will stop the bleeding!!

+1

It does make your mouth pucker.

If I slice my hands it's generally because I'm wrenching on the truck. Lil gasoline and that sucker is sanitized.

Seriously though, direct pressure and elevation have yet to stop any serious cut I've had. Including the one where I severed a vein. Bled like crazy for 5 minutes. Looked like I dipped my entire hand in red paint by the time it stopped.

And yes, the styptic pencil burns like hell, but it burns so good! I love it. I don't have an Alum Block yet and I get some irritation from the straight on my jaw line, so I just rub the Styptic Pencil all over there. By the time it dries it looks like I've taken a fist to the face it's so purple and red. Fades after 15 minutes though.

speaking of alum blocks.... i was at whole foods *(aka... smelly hippie store) with the wife and i picked up some kiss my face cream.... i noticed they have the "natural" crystal deodorants there also... read the ingredients.... aluminum alum.....

bought one for $5 and use it after i shave..... stops the bleeding from nicks and has really helped with controlling razor burn and rash.....

altho it don't burn as good as the stypic does....

$5 at smelly hippie beats the hell out of $20 something at AOS.....

Some eye drops get the red out because they
contain some of the same drug that boxing
cut men use. Read the labels and do some homework...

A pharmacist may help you sort eye drops into
groups by ingredient for you and help you understand
what the ingredients do if your web search magic needs
help.

A styptic pencil can apply very localized pressure
that can also be important. Dip the tip in water,
apply and press on the nick and hold. Rinse the
tip and apply a second drop on the nick and hold.

Once the bleeding is under control a topical antibiotic
is a good thing.

Some of the kid friendly scrape and scratch products
are also good. Skip the spray ones (not in the eyes) or
spray on a finger and dot on the nick.

New-Skin® Liquid Bandage looks less goofy than bits
of tissue paper.

BTW: If you think you need stitches get them promptly.
It stinks to have the doctor say ... I wish you had come
in 14 hours ago.