Minor bleeding

Very low urgency
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It refers to the output or loss of blood from the inside of blood vessels in small amounts (<500cc). The bleeding can be arterial, venous or capillary and, according to its origin, internal (inside the body) or external (outside the body).

It can be caused by accidents, injuries, ulcers, varicose veins and other diseases.

Being a light bleeding, there might be no symptoms or that those are minimal, such as a state of anxiety and/or slight feeling of dizziness.

The diagnosis is made through the clinical questioning and physical examination. Depending on the origin of the bleeding, additional tests may or may not be required.

Depending on the type of bleeding, it must be assessed whether treatment can be performed at home with a simple direct compression at the bleeding point or it must be performed in a health centre or hospital as it may require bandages, sutures, antibiotic treatment and/or surgical treatment.

Bibliographic references
  1. American Red Cross. Traumatic injuries. In: American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Participant's Manual. Yardley, PA: StayWell; 2016:chap 6.
  2. Bulger EM, Snyder D, Schoelles K, et al. An evidence-based prehospital guideline for external hemorrhage control: American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2014;18(2):163-173. PMID: 24641269 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24641269.
  3. Simon BC, Hern HG. Wound management principles. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 52.
  4. G.H. Guyatt,A.D. Oxman,R. Kunz,G.E. Vist,Y. Falck-Ytter,H.J. Schunemann. What is quality of evidence and why is it important to clinicians?. BMJ, 336 (2008), pp. 995-998 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39490.551019.BE. Medline.
  5. G.H. Guyatt,A.D. Oxman,R. Kunz,Y. Falck-Ytter,G.E. Vist,A. Liberati. Going from evidence to recommendations. BMJ., 336 (2008), pp. 1049-1051 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39493.646875.AE. Medline.
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Symptoms

    Minor bleeding 350-750 ml


    Bleeding


    Cut or injury


    Very minor haemorrhage < 350 ml


    Small bloodstain

Symptoms to watch out for

Dehydration signs: more fatigued than usual, dizziness, dry mouth and tongue.
Reduction in the level of consciousness
History of anticoagulant use
Continuous bleeding for 20 minutes or more

Self-care

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
Press to stop the bleeding.
Apply a clean bandage that does not stick to the wound.
Maintain hydration of 2 litres per day.