HealthyLife Articles

Category: First Aid

In Case Of Accidental Poisoning, Act Fast

First Aid

To prevent accidental poisoning:

* Always read warning labels on pesticides, household cleaners, and other products that could be poisonous. Follow instructions for use and storage.

* Crush unused medications and mix them with water. Mix this with used coffee grounds or kitty litter. Put this in the garbage in a sealed plastic bag.

* Have the phone number of your local poison control center and National Poison Control Center (1.800.222.1222) posted near the telephone. It’s also a good idea to post the numbers of the nearest hospital emergency room, ambulance service, and your physician.

If your child accidentally swallows or inhales poison, or spills poison on the skin or eyes, don’t panic. Instead:

* Call the Poison Control Center at 1.800.222.1222 (or hospital or physician). Explain the problem and identify the cause.

* Remain calm and quickly follow the instructions you’re given. Often, accidental poisonings can be handled at home.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
First Aid Precautions

First Aid

First Aid Safety Steps

1. LOOK around. Is it safe to help? If not, call 9-1-1, have someone else call, or seek medical help. If it is safe to help, stay calm and go to step 2.

2. CHECK for a response.

* Gently tap the person. Ask, “Are you okay?” Ask loudly. Call the person by name if you know it.

* If the person responds or moves, attend to his or her problem, as needed. If the person is injured or the problem is serious, call for emergency medical care. Give first aid as needed, until medical help arrives.

* If the person does not respond or move, begin CPR.

3. PROTECT yourself from hepatitis B virus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. You can get these from an infected person’s blood or other body fluids if they enter your body. These organisms can enter through cuts or breaks in your skin or through the lining of your mouth, nose, and eyes. When you give first aid or do CPR, take these steps, especially if you don’t know the person:

* Use plastic wrap or a plastic bag that you can throw away whenever you touch another person’s body fluids, blood, or other objects that may be soiled with his or her blood. If possible, have the person apply pressure to the wound with his or her own hand.

* Cover the person’s open wounds with dressings, extra gauze, or waterproof material.

* Using a mouth-to-mouth barrier device when you give rescue breaths may or may not protect you from picking up an infection. You do not need to give rescue breaths with Hands-Only CPR.

* Within 1 to 2 hours, report every incident that exposes you to another person’s blood or other body fluids to your doctor and EMS personnel.

4. FIND out if the person has certain medical needs.

* Ask if he or she has prescribed medicine, such as nitroglycerin, to take for a heart condition. Ask where he or she keeps the medicine. Find out how much to give. Ask the person or read the directions on the medicine’s label, if there is one.

* Ask the person if you can give the medicine to him or her.

* Look for a medical alert tag to find out about health problems the person has.

* Find out if the person is allergic to any medicine.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Shock

First Aid

Shock occurs when the circulation system fails to send blood to all parts of the body. With shock, blood flow or blood volume is too low to meet the body’s needs. Areas of the body are deprived of oxygen. The result is damage to the limbs, lungs, heart, and brain.

Signs & Symptoms

* Weakness. Trembling.

* Feeling restless. Confusion.

* Pale or blue-colored lips, skin, and/or fingernails. Cool and moist skin.

* Rapid, shallow breathing. Weak, but fast pulse.

* Nausea. Vomiting. Extreme thirst.

* Enlarged pupils.

* Loss of consciousness.

Causes

* A heart attack.

* Severe or sudden blood loss from an injury or serious illness. Bleeding can occur inside or outside the body.

* A large drop in body fluids, such as following a severe burn.

Treatment

Shock requires emergency medical care.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

First Aid for Shock Before Emergency Care

* CHECK for a response. Give Rescue Breaths or CPR as needed.

* Lay the person flat, face-up, but do not move him or her if you suspect a head, back, or neck injury.

* Raise the person’s feet about 12 inches. Use a box, etc. Do not raise the feet or move the legs if hip or leg bones are broken. Keep the person lying flat.

* If the person vomits or has trouble breathing, raise him or her to a half-sitting position (if no head, back, or neck injury). Or, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.

* Loosen tight clothing. Keep the person warm. Cover the person with a coat, blanket, etc.

* Monitor for a response. Repeat the steps listed above, as needed.

* Do not give any food or liquids. If the person wants water, moisten the lips.

* Reassure the person. Make him or her as comfortable as you can.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Being Ready For Medical Emergencies

First Aid

* Learn basic first-aid skills. Take courses in CPR and first aid. These give hands-on practice in giving first aid and CPR the right way. Find out about them from your local Red Cross, police and/or fire department, etc.

* Find out what services your health plan covers and what steps you have to take to get emergency costs paid for.

* Carry the following information with you at all times:

– Your name, address, phone number, and the person to contact if you need emergency care.

– Your health insurance information.

– Important medical information. This could be on a medical alert tag, on a wallet card, or on the back of your driver’s license. Have a list of medications, their dosages, and things you are allergic to.

– Emergency telephone numbers. (Post these near phones, too.)

First-Aid Kit

Keep first-aid supplies handy, but out of children’s reach. Carry a first-aid kit in the car (or boat, wrapped in a waterproof container), as well as in the house. Campers, bikers, hikers, and persons who spend time in remote areas should take a first-aid kit with them. Once a year, check supplies for expiration dates. Restock items when they are used up or when expiration dates have passed.

First-Aid Supplies & Medicines

* Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.

* Adhesive bandages of different sizes.

* Antibiotic ointment.

* Antidiarrheal medicine.

* Antihistamine tablets or syrup.

* Antiseptic ointment or wipes.

* Calibrated medicine spoon & dropper (for kids).

* Cold pack.

* Cotton-tipped swabs.

* Elastic wrap and closures.

* Flashlight and extra batteries.

* Hydrocortisone ointment.

* Safety pins.

* Scissors.

* Sterile gauze pads, a roll of gauze, and tape.

* Sterile nonstick dressings.

* Sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher).

* Tweezers.

Add Extra Items for a Car or Boat

* Clean, folded sheet. Blanket.

* Large flashlight. Extra batteries. Flares. Rope.

* Plastic bottle of water, tightly capped.

* Protective clothing and footwear.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fishhook Removal

First Aid

A fishhook can nick or cut the skin, get stuck in the skin near its surface, or get deeply embedded in the skin. First aid treats most fishhook accidents.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For a Fishhook Deeply Embedded in the Skin

* Put ice or cold water on the wound area to numb it. Push on the shaft of the hook until the barb protrudes. See image A. With wire cutters, snip the hook at either the shank or the barb. See image B. Pull the hook out. See image C.

* Wash the wound area well with soap and water. Treat for a puncture wound.

For a Fishhook Stuck Near the Surface of the Skin

* Put ice or cold water on the wound area.

* Take a piece of fishing line. Loop one end and tie it to the hook near the surface of the skin. See image D. Grasp the shaft end of the hook with one hand and press down about 1/8th inch to disengage the barb. See image E.

* Keep pressing the hook down and jerk the fishing line in a motion parallel to the skin’s surface to make the shaft of the hook lead the barb out of the skin. See image F. Treat for a puncture wound.

{Note: For nicks or surface cuts to the skin, treat for a cut.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Skin Injuries / Wounds

First Aid

Signs & Symptoms

Cuts slice the skin open. This causes bleeding and pain.

Scrapes are less serious than cuts, but more painful because more nerve endings are affected.

Punctures are stab wounds. This causes pain, but may not result in bleeding.

Bruises cause black and blue or red skin. As they heal, the skin turns yellowish-green. Pain, tenderness, and swelling also occur.

Scrapes

Cuts

Punctures

Causes

For Cuts, Scrapes & Punctures

The cause can be any object that penetrates the skin. This includes cut glass, a splinter, stepping on a nail or tack, falling on pavement, etc.

For Bruises

Common causes are falls or being hit by some force. Bruises result when broken blood vessels bleed into the tissue under the skin. Persons who take blood-thinners bruise easily.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the skin injury is. Simple wounds can be treated with self-care. An antibiotic treats a bacterial infection. Medical care, such as stitches, may be needed for deep cuts or ones longer than an inch.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For Minor Cuts and Scrapes

* Clean in and around the wound thoroughly with soap and water.

* Press on the cut for up to 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. Use sterile, wet gauze or a clean cloth. Dry gauze can stick to the wound. Don’t use a bandage to apply pressure.

* If still bleeding, lift the part of the body with the cut higher than the heart, if practical.

* After the bleeding has stopped and when the area is clean and dry, apply a first-aid cream.

* Put one or more bandages on the cut. The edges of the cut skin should touch, but not overlap. Use a butterfly bandage if you have one.

* Keep a scrape clean and dry. Dress it with gauze and first-aid tape. Change this every 24 hours.

For Punctures that Cause Minor Bleeding

* Let the wound bleed to cleanse itself.

* Remove the object (e.g., splinter). Use clean tweezers. Hold a lit match or flame to the ends of the tweezers to sterilize them. Let them cool and wipe the ends with sterile gauze.

* Two to 4 times a day, clean the wound area with soapy water. Dry it well and apply an antibacterial cream. Do this for several days.

For Bruises

* Apply a cold pack to the bruised area as soon as possible (within 15 minutes of the injury). Keep the cold pack on for 10 minutes at a time. Apply pressure to the cold pack. Take it off for 30 to 60 minutes. Repeat several times for 2 days.

* Rest the bruised area and raise it above the level of the heart, if practical.

* Two days after the injury, use warm compresses for 20 minutes at a time.

* Do not bandage a bruise. Try to avoid hitting the bruised area again.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bites & Stings

First Aid

For Bites

Signs & Symptoms

* Swelling. Redness. Pain. Itching.

* Bleeding.

* Tissue loss, if the wound is severe.

* Skin rash.

* Lockjaw. This is a painful, persistent stiffness of the jaw due to a toxin. Tetanus shots can prevent this.

* Allergic reaction, such as with insect bites.

Causes

* Dog, cat, and human bites are the most common animal bites in the U.S.

* Deer tick bites can cause Lyme disease, a bacterial infection.

* Bed bug bites cause redness, swelling, and large, red welts or raised areas on the skin.

* Black widow and brown recluse spider bites can cause severe reactions.

* Less common, but more dangerous, are bites from skunks, raccoons, bats, and other animals that live in the wild. These animals can have rabies – a serious viral infection. It can be fatal. Most house pets are vaccinated for rabies. It’s unlikely they carry the virus.

* Mosquito bites can cause West Nile virus if the mosquito is infected with it.

* Snake bites can be fatal if the bite is from a poisonous snake (e.g., rattlesnakes, cotton mouths, copperheads, and coral snakes).

* Shark bites are a potential problem when swimming in shark-infested waters.

Treatment

Self-care can be used for dog and cat bites that cause scratches on the skin and for insect bites that do not cause a severe allergic reaction. All human bites that break the skin should be checked by a doctor due to the high risk for infection.

A series of rabies shots can prevent the spread of rabies to humans. The shots should begin soon after a bite from an infected animal.

Antivenom can be given for poisonous snake bites at emergency medical facilities. It should be given within 4 hours of the bite.

For Stings

Signs & Symptoms

* Quick, sharp pain.

* Swelling, itching, and redness at the sting site. These can occur beyond the sting site.

* Raised bump (with or without pus).

* Signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Causes

* Insect stings.

* Marine animals that sting include jellyfish, Portuguese Man-of-War, and sea nettles.

Treatment

Self-care treats mild reactions to stings. A severe allergic reaction needs immediate care. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction usually happen soon after or within an hour of the sting.

Persons with a severe allergic reaction to a sting in the past should carry an emergency kit, prescribed by a doctor. A medical alert tag should be worn to let others know of the allergy. Persons who have had severe reactions to bee or wasp stings should ask their doctors about allergy shots.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For Poisonous Snake Bites Before Medical Care

* Carefully move the person away from the snake. Calm the person. Have him or her rest. Moving about can help spread the venom.

* Gently wash the bite area with soap and water. Keep the limb of the bite site level with the heart (or just below this). Apply a splint to the limb of the bite site to keep it from moving.

* Being careful, note, if you can, the shape of the snakes eyes, pupils, and head, the colors it is, and if it has rattles.

* Don’t try to kill the snake, cut the fang mark, or suck out the venom.

* Don’t apply a tourniquet, a bandage, or ice to the bite.

For Non-Poisonous Snake Bites

* Gently wash the site with soap and water.

* Treat the bite as a minor wound.

* If you notice signs of an infection, call your doctor.

For Poisonous Spider Bites Until Emergency Care Arrives

* Perform rescue breathing, if needed.

* If you can, keep the bitten area lower than the level of the heart.

* Calm the person and keep him or her warm.

* Gently clean the site of the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

* Put an ice pack over the bite site for pain relief.

* If you can, catch the spider in a closed container to show what kind it is.

For Poisonous Spider and Scorpion Bites Before Medical Care

* Do rescue breathing, if needed.

* If you can, keep the bitten area lower than the level of the heart.

* Calm the victim and keep him or her warm.

* Gently clean the site of the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

* Put an ice pack over the bite site to relieve pain.

* If you can, catch the spider in a closed container to show the doctor. n Get emergency care!

For Human Bites Before Medical Care

* Wash the wound area with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. Don’t scrub hard. Rinse with running water or with an antiseptic solution, such as Betadine.

* Cover the wound area with sterile gauze. Tape only the ends of the gauze in place. Then get medical care.

For Deer Tick Bites

* Remove any ticks found on the skin. Use tweezers to grasp the tick(s) as close to the skin as you can. Pull gently and carefully in a steady upward motion at the point where the tick’s mouthpart enters the skin. Try not to crush the tick. The secretions released may spread disease.

* After you remove the ticks, wash the wound area and your hands with soap and water. Apply rubbing alcohol to help disinfect the area.

* Use an ice pack over the bite area to relieve pain.

* Save one tick in a closed jar with rubbing alcohol to show the doctor.

For Dog and Cat Bites

* Wash the bite area right away with soap and warm water for 5 minutes. If the bite is deep, flush the wound with water for 10 minutes. Dry the wound with a clean towel. Then get medical care.

* If the wound is swollen, apply ice wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes.

* Get a tetanus shot, if needed.

* If the bite hurts, take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for pain.

* Report the incident to the animal control department. If a pet’s immunizations are not current, arrange with the animal control department for the pet to be observed for the next 10 days to check for rabies.

* Observe the wound for a few days. Look for signs of infection. Often, cat bite wounds need an antibiotic.

For a Stingray Bite

* Remove the person from the water.

* Apply a local pressure bandage for a wound that bleeds a lot.

* Immerse the wound area in hot water for 30 to 90 minutes. Make sure the water is not hot enough to burn the skin.

* Scrub the wound area well with soap and water.

* Unless the wound is a slight one in only one limb, get medical help right away.

For Stings from Jellyfish or Sea Nettles, etc.

* Remove the person from the water. Don’t touch the sting area with bare hands.

* Rinse the sting area with salt (not fresh) water right away. Don’t put ice on the skin. If you can, put vinegar or rubbing alcohol on the area several times for 30 or more minutes until the pain is relieved.

* Apply dry or moist heat to the sting area until the pain subsides. You can mix one part ammonia with 3 parts salt water and apply this to the sting area.

* Wear gloves when you remove stingers. Use a towel to wipe the stingers or the tentacles off. Use tweezers to lift large tentacles. Don’t scrape or rub them.

* To relieve itching, apply OTC calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected area as directed on the label.

* Contact your doctor for any signs of infection.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Frostbite & Hypothermia

First Aid

Frostbite freezes the skin. It can damage tissue below the skin, too. Most often, frostbite affects the toes, fingers, earlobes, chin, and tip of the nose.

Hypothermia is when body temperature drops below 96ºF. The body loses more heat than it can make. This usually occurs from staying in a cold place for a long time.

Frostbite & Frostnip

Signs & Symptoms

* Cold, numb skin swells and feels hard and solid.

* Loss of function. Absence of pain.

* Skin color changes from white to red to purple. Blisters occur.

* Slurred speech.

* Confusion.

Frostnip is a less serious problem. The skin turns white or pale and feels cold, but the skin does not feel hard and solid.

Causes

When temperatures drop below freezing, frostbite and frostnip can occur. Both can set in very slowly or very quickly. This will depend on how long the skin is exposed to the cold and how cold and windy it is.

Hypothermia

Signs & Symptoms

With mild hypothermia, symptoms include: Shivering; slurred speech; memory lapses; and the abdomen and back feel cold.

With moderate hypothermia, shivering stops, but the skin feels ice cold and looks blue. The person may act confused, drowsy, very cranky, and/or stuporous. Muscles may be rigid and stiff. Pulse rate and breathing slow down.

With severe hypothermia, the person has dilated pupils, no response to pain, and loses consciousness. The person appears to be dead. Death occurs in half or more of persons with severe hypothermia.

Causes

* Exposure to cold temperatures (wet or dry). Many factors increase the risk. Examples are: Wet clothing or lying on a cold surface; circulation problems; diabetes; and old age. The elderly are more prone to hypothermia if they live in a poorly heated home and do not dress warm enough.

* Immersion. This can be from 6 hours or less of exposure to cold water immersion. It can also be from water immersion or exposure on land to cold, wet weather near freezing for up to 24 hours.

* Shock.

Treatment

Self-care measures can treat frostnip. Prompt emergency medical care is needed for frostbite to keep the area affected from getting infected and to prevent the loss of a limb. Hypothermia needs emergency medical care.

Wind Chill Temperature

As the wind increases, the body is cooled at a faster rate. This causes the skin temperature to drop. Wind chill temperature combines outdoor air temperature and wind speed to give a temperature of what it “feels like” on the skin. The National Weather Service has a “Wind Chill Chart” that shows temperatures, wind speeds, and exposure times that cause frostbite. To get this, accesswww.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill.

Questions to Ask

{Note: The damage from exposure to the cold may not be noted for 72 hours.}

Self-Care / First Aid

First Aid for Frostbite and Hypothermia Before Emergency Care

* Gently move the person to a warm place and Call 9-1-1!

* Check for a response. Give Rescue Breaths or CPR, as needed.

* Loosen or remove wet and/or tight clothing. Remove jewelry.

* Don’t rub the area with snow or soak it in cold water.

* Warm the affected area by soaking it in a tub of warm water (101ºF to 104ºF) and an antiseptic solution, such as Betadine.

* Stop when the affected area becomes red, not when sensation returns. This should take about 45 minutes. If done too fast, thawing can be painful and blisters may develop.

* If warm water is not available, cover the person with blankets, coats, etc., or place the frostbitten body part in a warm body area, such as an armpit or on the abdomen (human heat) or use a blow dryer, if available.

* Keep exposed areas elevated, but protected.

* Don’t rub or massage a frostbitten area.

* Protect the exposed area from the cold. It is more sensitive to re-injury.

* Don’t break blisters.

First Aid for Frostnip

* Warm the affected area. This can be done a number of ways:

– Place cold fingers in armpits.

– Place cold feet onto another person’s warm stomach.

– Put the affected area in warm water (101ºF to 102ºF).

After warming the area, the skin may be red and tingling. If it is not treated, frostnip can lead to frostbite.

* Protect the exposed area from the cold. It is more sensitive to re-injury.

To Prevent Frostbite and Outdoor Hypothermia

* Stay indoors, as much as possible, when it is very cold and windy.

* Wear clothing made of wool or polypropylene. These fabrics stay warm even when wet. Layer clothing. Wear 2 or 3 pairs of socks instead of 1 heavy pair. Wear roomy shoes. Do not wear items that constrict the hands, wrists, or feet.

* Wear a hat that keeps your head and ears warm. A major source of heat loss is through the head.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sprains, Strains & Sports Injuries

First Aid

Signs & Symptoms

For Sprains

A sprain happens when you overstretch or tear a ligament. (This is fibrous tissue that connects bones.) A joint is affected, but there is no dislocation or fracture. Symptoms are rapid pain, swelling, bruising, and a warm feeling at the injured site.

For Strains

A strain is an injury to the muscles or tendons. (These are tissues that connect muscles to bones.) Symptoms are pain, tenderness, swelling, and bruising.

For Sports Injuries

Sports injury symptoms depend on the injury. They include pain, tenderness, swelling, and bruising. Bones may be broken or dislocated.

Causes

Sprains occur from an accident, injury, fall, etc. A strain occurs when you overstretch or overexert a muscle or tendon (not a ligament). This is usually due to overuse and injuries, such as sports injuries.

Treatment

Treatment for sprains, strains, and sports injuries depends on the injury and on the extent of damage. Self-care may be all that is needed for mild injuries. Sports injuries and sprains may need medical treatment. Some sprains need a cast. Others may need surgery if the tissue affected is torn.

Broken bones (other than broken toes) need medical care right away.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

* If the injury is not serious, stop what you are doing and use R.I.C.E.

* If you sprained a finger or hand, remove rings. (If you don’t and your fingers swell up, the rings may have to be cut off.)

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain, if needed. {Note: Many sports medicine providers do not recommend aspirin-like medicine at first, because it can make bleeding and bruising worse.}

* Try liniments and balms. These give a cooling or warming sensation by masking the pain. They do not promote healing.

* Once the injury begins to heal, use M.S.A.:

– Movement. Work toward a full range of motion as soon as possible. This will help maintain flexibility during healing and prevent any scar tissue from limiting future performance.

– Strength. Gradually strengthen the injured area once the swelling is controlled and a range of motion is back.

– Alternative Activities. Do regular exercises that do not strain the injured part. Start this a few days after the injury, even though the injured part is still healing.

To Prevent Serious Injuries (especially during contact sports)

* Wear the right protective gear and clothing for the sport (e.g., a helmet; shoulder, knee, and wrist pads; a mouth guard, etc.).

* Train in the sport so you learn how to avoid injury. “Weekend athletes” are prone to injury. Follow the rules that apply to the sport.

General Prevention

* Ease into any exercise program. Build up gradually.

* Avoid running on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete. Run on flat surfaces. Running uphill puts added stress on the achilles tendon.

* Don’t lock your knees. When you jump, land with your knees bent.

* Wear shoes and socks that fit well. The widest area of your foot should match the widest area of the shoe. You should be able to wiggle your toes with the shoe on when you sit and when you stand. Wear shoes that provide shock absorption and stability.

* Stop if you feel pain. Don’t do the activity until you can do it without pain.

* Cool down after exercise. Do the activity at a slower pace for 5 minutes.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bleeding 2

First Aid

Most adults can donate a pint of blood without harmful side effects, but losing a quart of blood, quickly, can lead to shock and even death. In a child, losing a pint (or less depending on the child’s size) can put the child in extreme danger.

Signs & Symptoms

For External Bleeding

* A skin wound.

* Dark red blood gushes or flows from veins.

* Bright red blood spurts from arteries.

* Blood oozes from capillaries. The bleeding usually clots off by itself.

For Internal Bleeding

* Vomiting or coughing up true, red blood. This includes blood-tinged sputum.

* A bruise on the skin of the chest or abdomen, especially if it is in a place where no blow was struck.

* Fractured ribs.

* Dizziness. Fainting. Weakness.

* Lethargy. Excessive sleepiness. Mental status changes. These can occur with trauma to the head, even if it is mild.

* Fast pulse. Cold, moist skin.

* Stools contain bright red blood or are black (not due to taking iron).

Causes

For External Bleeding

* Abrasions (scraped skin). Lacerations (cut skin with jagged edges). Punctures.

* Knife, gunshot, or other wounds can graze or penetrate the skin. These can damage internal blood vessels and body organs.

* Injury wounds.

For Internal Bleeding

* A bruise. This is bleeding from and damage to tissues beneath the skin.

* Damage to blood vessels and/or internal structures. This includes a blunt injury that does not break the skin, a bleeding ulcer, and an aneurysm.

* Bleeding disorders.

Taking blood-thinning drugs can result in both internal and external bleeding.

Treatment

When bleeding occurs, the goal is to find the source, stop or lessen the bleeding, and help the body cope with the loss of blood.

* For severe bleeding, treatment includes first aid measures and emergency medical care.

* For minor bleeding, treatment depends on the cause and other medical conditions present.

* Bleeding disorders need to be treated by a doctor.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For Severe Bleeding

* Without delay, apply direct pressure to the wound using a sterile dressing or clean cloths. {Note: If the cut is large and the edges of it gape open, pinch the edges of the wound while you apply pressure.}

* Call 9-1-1 or take the person to nearest hospital emergency department.

* Do not remove an object that is stuck in a wound. Pack it in place with padding. Put tape around the padding so it doesn’t move.

* If bleeding continues before getting medical help, put extra cloths, etc. on top of existing ones. Keep putting pressure on the wound until bleeding stops or until medical help takes over.

* The most important thing to do is to apply direct pressure on the bleeding site. Some health experts advise to do these things, too, if needed:

– Elevate the wounded area higher than heart level while applying pressure. Do this if no bone is broken.

– Apply pressure to a “pressure point” if bleeding still continues after 15 to 20 minutes of direct pressure. Use the pressure point closest to the bleeding site that is between the wound and the heart. (See Pressure Points.)

* Don’t apply a tourniquet except to save a life.

* While giving first aid for bleeding, keep looking for signs of shock.

For an Amputation

* Control bleeding.

* Wrap the severed part in a clean, dry (not wet) cloth or sterile gauze. Place the wrapped part in a plastic bag or other waterproof container. Put these on a bed of ice. Do not submerge the severed part in cold water or ice.

For Bleeding from the Scalp

* Use a ring pad to apply pressure around the edges of the wound, not on the wound. Make a ring pad (shaped like a doughnut) with a bandage of narrow, long strips of cloth. Start with one end of the narrow bandage and wrap it around all four fingers on one hand until you form a loop. Leave a long strip of the bandage material to weave in and around the loop so it doesn’t unravel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026