Capillary bleeding: what is it and how to stop it

Bleeding is an outpouring of blood, which began as a result of a violation of the integrity of the walls of blood vessels. The nature of this process can be traumatic or non-traumatic. In turn, the types of lesions determine certain types of outpouring. One of the most common is capillary bleeding, marked with a significant damage to the capillary mesh. The latter is an interlacing of a large number of small vessels.

First of all, capillary bleeding is characterized by a slow flow of blood. This is an external surface damage, clearly visible, and therefore easily diagnoseable. With normal coagulation, the process is very slow and capillary bleeding can be easily stopped without any special effort. In this case, there is no threat to human life. Another thing is when a person suffers from poor blood coagulability, that is hemophilia, then extensive wounds and deep abrasions can provoke strong capillary bleeding and, as consequence, a large loss of blood. In this case, it is necessary to exert maximum efforts to stop the outpouring.

Stopping of capillary bleeding begins with the detection and close examination of the bleeding wound. Next, determine the degree of damage to the skin. It can be light (superficial) or deep. In those cases where a person is tightly clothed, it can be difficult to determine this because the tissue absorbs a significant amount of blood.

Stop the outflow from the superficial wound by applying a bandage or gauze folded in several layers. On top of them, ordinary cotton wool is applied, then a dressing is done. In the absence of bandage and gauze, you can use any piece of cotton fabric or a simple handkerchief. The material to be dressed must be sterile and clean. It is important to emphasize that in no case should cotton or cotton tissue be applied directly to the open wound, since among the fibers of such material there is a large number of various microorganisms. As a result of such "help" you can easily earn blood poisoning. Different synthetic fabrics also represent not the best option as a dressing material, as they will not absorb blood properly.

Among other things, you should not forget about the treatment of the damaged surface before applying the dressing. The wound should be disinfected with any antiseptic, for example, hydrogen peroxide. In case of his absence, alcohol or vodka will do. Even the smallest untreated wounds and abrasions can further fester and provoke the formation of an abscess. In the case of such an outcome, without surgical intervention, it will be impossible to do without.

In itself, capillary-type bleeding is safer than, for example, arterial or venous, but there is a high risk of infection. This is due to the fact that the wound is on the surface and directly in contact with the microbes of the environment. That's why help with capillary bleeding should be provided as soon as possible in order to reduce the likelihood of infection.