First Aid For Capillary Bleeding

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

First aid for capillary bleeding

Content:

• Why is capillary bleeding dangerous for humans?
• How to stop capillary bleeding?
• Epistaxis - how to stop it?

The outflow of blood from small vessels into the body cavity or into the external environment is capillary bleeding. It occurs when the vessels of the mucous membranes, muscle tissues and skin are damaged.

With capillary bleeding, rich red blood flows out evenly over the entire wounded surface or in a small trickle.

Such bleeding is rarely life-threatening and usually stops on its own, but it can be profuse.

Why is capillary bleeding dangerous for humans?

An important function of the blood is to carry oxygen and nutrients. They are delivered to the tissues, and from there, metabolic products and carbon dioxide are carried away. With minor damage to the capillaries and shallow wounds, there is no threat to health. However, with extensive capillary bleeding, this vital function is impaired, as a result of which oxygen deficiency is possible. First of all, the heart muscle and nervous system suffer from oxygen starvation, which threatens life.

First aid for capillary bleeding is necessary not only in case of serious injuries, but also if blood comes from the nose, ear, gums, digestive tract, uterus and other organs.

The main hallmark of capillary bleeding is the slow release of blood over the entire wound surface. There are two types of capillary bleeding: internal (the most dangerous of them are uterine, intestinal and gastric) and external.

Specialists identify several causes of capillary bleeding, including traumatic, coagulopathic and pathological:

• Diseases of the blood coagulation system are hemophilia, thrombocytopenic purpura, von Willebrand disease;
• Traumatic injuries (abrasions, burns, cuts). According to the classification, they are divided into thermal, which arise from the impact of critically high temperatures, and mechanical, which occur in the event of various extreme situations (disasters, falls, fights);
• Diseases of the vessels, in which the skin and tissues are damaged (tumors, purulent inflammation of the skin with the involvement of capillaries);
• General diseases (oncological processes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, necrosis, atherosclerosis), in which the vascular walls throughout the body are affected. As a result, plasma and blood cells leak out, and extensive internal capillary bleeding occurs;
• Hormonal dysfunctions.

Internal capillary bleeding over time can lead to the formation of interstitial and intra-articular hematomas. Such bleeding from parenchymal organs (liver, spleen, brain) when damaged is of great danger.

How to stop capillary bleeding?

Timely first aid provided for capillary bleeding contributes to its temporary or complete cessation. Methods for stopping bleeding depend on its intensity and consist in applying a pressure bandage, carrying out a tamponade and applying cold. In most cases, such bleeding does not cause extensive blood loss, but it is dangerous by infection with pathogenic bacteria.

In the event of a wound on an arm or leg, assistance should be provided as follows:

• Raise the injured limb above the level of the heart - the pressure in the vessels decreases, which leads to a stop or a significant decrease in bleeding;
• When a small area is injured, to prevent infection, it is necessary to lubricate the skin around the wound with iodine or treat with 3% hydrogen peroxide. For the fastest healing, a bactericidal plaster is fixed on top;
• Apply a pressure bandage with a bandage or gauze in several layers. Bandaging must be done from the bottom up, after two layers of bandage, attach a cotton swab and continue bandaging. If the bandage is soaked in blood, you do not need to remove the bandages, you should put a few more layers on top;

• For extensive injuries, maximum flexion of the joint located above the wound helps temporarily stop bleeding, but the most reliable way is to apply a tourniquet. This is done as follows: as close to the wound as possible, but above it it is necessary to put a cloth or bandage, tighten the tourniquet on top and under it be sure to put a note with the exact application time. In winter, the tourniquet is kept no longer than an hour, in summer no longer than one and a half. After this time, it is necessary to loosen the tourniquet for 15 minutes and tighten again;
• To reduce pain and stop bleeding, an ice pack should be applied to the wound.

First aid for internal capillary bleeding into the abdominal cavity: lay the patient on his back, raise his legs and tilt his head back, apply ice to the site of the alleged bleeding and call an ambulance. Such actions help to prevent shock, but in no case should you hesitate to contact a medical facility!

Epistaxis - how to stop it?

The mucous membrane of the nose is rich in tiny capillaries, so any injury can cause bleeding. They are distinguished by their duration and intensity. Often, nosebleeds begin to flow for no apparent reason, but usually such bleeding is caused by a stroke, prolonged use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops, fragility and weakness of blood vessels, sun or heat stroke, hypertension or anatomical defects in the nasal cavity.

• It is very simple to provide first aid for capillary bleeding from the nose, it is only important to do everything correctly:
• The patient should be in an upright position, preferably sitting, and the head is slightly tilted forward. This ensures that blood flows out of the nostrils unhindered. You cannot throw your head back, because blood flowing into the nasopharynx can cause vomiting or coughing, and this will only increase bleeding;
• Apply ice to the nose area;
• Press the wings of the nose against the septum for five minutes. This promotes the formation of a blood clot;
• Install a tampon moistened with a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the nasal passage.

It is advisable to perform all procedures with rubber gloves, or at least pre-disinfect your hands. With frequent nosebleeds, you need to carry out regular preventive measures, strengthen the vessels, take ascorutin or ascorbic acid.

Danger of nosebleeds

A condition in which blood is secreted from the nasal cavity can be life threatening if the cause is serious illness or injury. It is necessary and very important to temporarily stop bleeding before arriving at the hospital. If the nosebleeds more than half an hour and does not stop by the methods described above, and the volume of blood loss is more than 200 ml, you need to call an ambulance, regardless of the alleged causes of bleeding.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.