So now I'm starting to freak out a little bit

[scucci]

I accidently cut my hand over two hours ago. Not a big cut at all but it's right below my knuckle and will not stop bleeding. It's not gushing anymore but it's oozing so I have to dab it every couple of minutes. I washed it but I'm starting to get worried about the bleeding. It doesn't want to stop. Any advice?

Yes, I'm a big baby.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Go to the ER

You need stitches.

[scucci]

That's the thing

There isn't anything to stitch. I should have said scrape rather than cut.

Thank you for your advice though. I'm going to give it another half hour or so then go to the ER. I feel like an absolute dork.

[Maddy McCall]

2. Go get some butterfly bandages to pull it together if it is spread apart

If it is too severely spread apart, and butterfly bandages won't hold it, I agree with the previous poster that you need stitches.

Knuckles are bad places for cuts. Is it very deep?

I would probably try the butterfly bandages first, to pull it together, and if that doesn't work, then go the more expensive route of an ER visit.

[amazona]

3. you could try styptic powder and pressure

Hands do tend to bleed an irritating amount even when it isn't serious.

[SOteric]

4. Elevate the hand to a position higher than your head.

Apply pressure, and if possible, some kind of ice, or a bag of frozen peas to the hand.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Bandages,

and also don't bend the finger, and apply direct pressure on it for a good five or ten minutes.

You might be otherwise fine - could be just that you keep bending the finger, and breaking the little bit of scab that is appearing, and thus it continues to bleed.

Ice can help, but probably not necessary.

[mourningdove92]

6. if it is just oozing,

I wouldn't go to the ER. I don't think they can stitch a scrape, and you will just end up with a really big bill after waiting for 4-6 hours to see a Dr. I work in an Emergency Room, so I know.
I agree with the above posters, just keep pressure on it, ice would also help and dont bend it. By the way, I am NOT a nurse or anything. I Supervise Admissions, so this is not real medical advice from someone who has any training. hehehe

[SOteric]

8. Hey, I cut the end off my left thumb once

and the advice I gave you worked for me.

[Old and In the Way]

7. You cut an arrtery.....give youself to the ER ASAP..

[Lady President]

9. Glue

I would go to the ER, but you could also try that new medical glue. I cut my hand a couple years ago (the typical bagel cut~ eww,) and they used glue instead of stiches. I had much less pain than stiches, virtually no scar and didn't have to go back to the doctor for removal of the stiches. I'm sure it would work for a bad scrap too. You really shouldn't wait too long to go the ER because after a certain amount of time they can't use stiches for fear of infection. So, get yourself in gear!

[gristy]

10. what are you dabbing it with?

You need to wash that cut (and both hands while you're at it) with lots of soap and water. Nothing like a little infection to make something take a lot longer to heal.

Then put a couple bandaids around your finger. This will keep the cut clean, put pressure on it, and keep you from bending your finger.

You'll live...

[scucci]

11. Thank you all for your help!

My neighbor who is a nurse came over and wrapped my hand up good and tight. I now have frozen chicken resting on it so I can't type well. She says I did hit a vein so I should go to the doctor tomorrow if the bleeding continues.
Lord, I feel silly. Someone needs to revoke my license to breathe. Thank you again for all of your help. I really appreciate it.

~embarrassedly yours
scucci

[gristy]

13. I don't know about that chicken...

Lots of bacteria in a chicken - that's one reason you cook 'em. Even though you've got the wound wrapped, it's spreading bacteria over the bandages. If you don't have ice, might be better just to elevate your hand (you'll notice the throbbing goes down).

[scucci]

15. I think it'll be okay

because it's double freezer bagged. My husband just went up to Walgreens to get a real ice pack though. God, this is so stupid!
This all started because I hurt my damn hand while pulling wet clothes out of the washer. I'm forever going to use this as an excuse to never do laundry again!

Thank you again for all your help. You guys are wonderful! :)

[Nikia]

12. Quit dabbing it

Let it clot. Perhaps wrap it with a bandage and let it soak blood and keep it there. Wash it off after it has stopped bleeding for a while. Don't move it for a while either.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. Go to the store get some betadine and soak it in there then

follow SOteric's instructions. Stitching cuts is mostly useless and can actually trap bacteria in the hand region. If it isn't some deep through and through one, cleanse, ice and pressure while elevated will seal the deal.

[pansypoo53219]

16. i once

sliced my forefinger with a box cutter. up the middle to the 1st knuckle(not to the bone mind you). that bled a lot, but lazy me just washed it and put several bandaids on it. now i can't even see a scar. now that spot that got cut with a serated knife, that's different.

[Too Smart To Fight]

17. vasaline

but if it would take more than a dab to cover the cut, I wouldn't recomend using it.

[TreasonousBastard]

18. By now....

you already have lots of advice and had a real nurse look at it,so you should be OK.

FWIW, I've never seen a doctor about cuts, even pretty big ones. Lots of pressure, and a tight bandage until it stops bleeding, which could be hours if lots of blood vessels were cut.

There is something called zinc oxide ointment, available at any drugstore, which you should get and leave it in the medicine cabinet for times like this. At some point, put some of this goop on the cut, wrap a tight bandage around it, and leave it alone for a week, or at least a few days.

Zinc oxide is an anti-irritant that promotes healing.

And, yeah, use it as an excuse to get everyone else to do the laundry.