I’m putting on my Heloise wig for this one. A razor nick is certainly not a life-threatening emergency, but it always seems to happen just when you are in a hurry and you want to get on with your day. You just want the bleeding to stop quickly and preferably leave no noticeable mark that would only draw comments that would be of no help.
There are several tried-and-true methods, but they all take a minute or two to work. Most people will only give it a few seconds. They all need time, not much, but a little.
1. Toilet paper. Tear off a tiny square and place it on the nick—and leave it there. This is the standard method used 99% of the time. The toilet paper will help the scab to form, but trying to pull it off too soon will pull off the half-formed scab. You have to wait a minute or two, which will seem like an hour. Find something else to do while you wait and try not to think about it. The toilet paper will stay stuck in place by the tiny amount of blood. After a minute or two, peel it off gently and the bleeding will have stopped. If not, start over and wait a little longer this time. I have wet the toilet paper with a drop or two of cold water to loosen it with success.
2. An Ice Cube. You can place an ice cube on top of the toilet paper to help the scab form. You can also apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
3. A styptic pencil. This is the old-fashioned way used in my grandfather’s day. It works, but it stings like crazy. It is mostly of alum, so I don’t know why it stings, but it sure does. It explains the pained look on faces in old photos. Leave plenty of room to dance around while you curse me for suggesting it. It helps to have someone blow on it, but it will stop stinging on its own in a few seconds. If it is still bleeding after several minutes, there could be something wrong with your blood chemistry. Consider going to an emergency room, and tell your doctor about it at your next check-up.
RWalck@Verizon.net
Lansdowne-Aldan High School -- Class of 1954 