A Small Cut on my Finger won't Stop Bleeding. What Should I Do?

Have you recently had a viral illness, or unexplained nosebleeds?

Is there a history of clotting disorders in your family?

Has your doctor given you a prescription for blood thinners?

Are you taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E?

Is the cut over, or very near to, a finger joint?

Does the wound continue bleeding under direct pressure from a clean cloth or gauze?

If the bleeding does not stop within a few minutes, seek medical attention at an emergency room or urgent care center. Then make an appointment to see your own doctor for testing as you may need treatment to help your blood clot properly.

Clotting disorders are illnesses which can keep the blood from clotting properly. They are not caused by a bacteria or virus, and may or may not be inherited. If the bleeding does not stop within a few minutes, seek medical attention at an emergency room or urgent care center. Then make an appointment to see your own doctor for testing as you may need treatment to help your blood clot properly.

Blood thinners are medications that help prevent the spontaneous formation of blood clots in a vein or artery. A clot can be very serious if it blocks circulation, or if it breaks loose and travels to the heart or the lungs. Consult your doctor about the dose of your blood thinner medication, which may need to be adjusted. Be sure to ask about any over-the-counter medicines or supplements you are using. Some of these also have blood-thinning properties and can cause your prescription blood thinner to be too strong.

You may not realize that some over-the-counter medicines and supplements, including certain foods and herbal preparations, also have blood-thinning properties. Talk to your medical provider about whether these are safe and appropriate for you to use.

The flexing of the joint whenever the finger moves can pull open the injured skin and severed blood vessels, causing bleeding to start again even after it has slowed or stopped. After the wound has been cleaned, applying a snug bandage and then immobilizing the finger joint should keep the bleeding from starting again.

Cleaning and bandaging should stop any bleeding that is not over a joint. If bleeding does not stop within a few minutes, see a medical provider right away.

If the bleeding stops quickly under direct pressure, there is almost certainly no cause for concern. Make sure to keep the wound clean and it should heal in no time.