How to Treat Bleeding Wounds

Whether wounds are minor or more serious, it is always important to stop the bleeding and treat the wound. You should seek medical attention if a wound is deep and the blood flow is heavy. You can stanch the heavy blood flow, however, or treat minor wounds and bleeding at home.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Soap
• Sterile cloth
• Antibacterial antiseptic
• Antibiotic cream
• Adhesive bandage
• Non-stick gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Scarf or piece of cloth
• Stick or pen

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Instructions

Minor Wounds

• 1

  Locate the source of the bleeding.

• 2

  Wash hands with warm water and soap to avoid infecting wound.

• 3

  Wash wound with antibacterial antiseptic.

• 4

  Clean wound with sterile cloth. Cover wound with sterile cloth.

• 5

  Apply direct pressure to wound by pressing firmly with fingers for several minutes.

• 6

  When bleeding stops, remove pressure and apply antibiotic cream.

• 7

  Cover the wound to avoid infection. For small wounds, use adhesive bandage. For larger wounds, use non-stick gauze pads and adhesive tape.

• 8

  Change dressing as often as needed.

Major Wounds

• 9

  Locate the source of bleeding. Seek medical attention if wounds are too deep and blood flow is excessive.

• 10

  Make a tourniquet (a compression bandage that stops the flow of blood from an artery by applying pressure) to reduce the "gush" of blood. Wrap a piece of cloth (2 inches wide) above the wound three times.

• 11

  Tie the ends of the cloth in tight half knot.

• 12

  Place a stick or pen directly on the knot.

• 13

  Tie the ends of cloth around the stick or pen in a double knot.

• 14

  Twist the stick or pen until the bleeding stops or comes to a trickle. Stop twisting at this point to avoid other damage.

• 15

  Secure the stick or pen with another knot or piece of cloth.