View source for Hemostatic agent

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==Overview==

'''Hemostatic agents''' (also spelled '''haemostatic''') are substances that promote [[hemostasis]] (stop [[bleeding]]).  '''Styptics''' (also spelled '''stiptics''') are a specific type of hemostatic agent that work by contracting [[tissue (biology)|tissue]] to seal injured [[blood vessels]].  Other hemostatic agents used in medicine work by adsorbing water from blood, causing [[platelet aggregation]] and promoting [[coagulation]].

== Medicine ==
Hemostatic agents have been gaining popularity for use in [[emergency bleeding control]], especially in military medicine. They are available in two forms - as a granular powder poured on wounds, or embedded in a [[dressing (medical)|dressing]].

There are currently two hemostatic chemicals used in commercial products. [[Chitosan]] is used in Celox (a granular powder) and HemCon (a dressing). [[Zeolite]] is used in [[QuikClot]] (a dressing).

== Styptics ==
Styptics for personal use are typically made from [[alum]] or [[titanium dioxide]], and come in the form of styptic pencils, used to treat shaving cuts, and styptic powder, for staunching wounds from cutting animal nails.

=== Pencil ===
[[Image:Rasierstift.jpg|thumb|Styptic pencil]]
A styptic or hemostatic pencil is a short stick of [[medication]], usually [[anhydrous]] [[aluminium sulfate|aluminum sulfate]] (a type of [[alum]]) or [[titanium dioxide]], which is used for staunching [[blood]] by causing [[blood vessel]]s to contract at the site of the wound.

Before [[safety razor]]s were invented, it was an essential part of a shaving kit and was used to seal cuts caused by improper [[shaving]].<ref name="es">http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/shavepedia/Styptic_Pencil</ref>  Some people continue to use styptic pencils for minor skin wounds from safety or electric razors.<ref name="es" />

While effective at stopping blood loss, some who use it feel that the sting of the medication as it takes effect can be worse than the pain of the cut itself. More "natural" ingredients such as [[aloe vera|aloe]] add a "more soothing alternative".<ref>[http://www.ftmguide.org/shaving.html Hudson's Guide: All About Shaving]</ref>

A frequent source of confusion appears to be the difference between styptic and [[caustic pencil]]s which are not used to staunch minor cuts.

==== TV ad ====
In the 1970s, a TV ad for a popular brand of razor featured a father teaching his son how to shave, cautioning him that the blade on his old, generic razor was "sharp, very sharp", and made an audible scraping sound as he showed his son the proper method. Cut to the sales pitch for the improved Gillette or Schick product. Cut back to the father and son: "Now, this, this thing here, is a styptic pencil."

=== Powder ===
Styptic powder is used to stop bleeding from nails that are clipped too closely. This powder is generally used on animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds, where the vein is found in the center of the nail.  

Styptic powder can also be used to stop bleeding caused by cuts and nicks while shaving.

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

==See also==
*[[Hemostat|Hemostatic clamp]]

== External links ==
{{wiktionary|styptic}}
; Medical hemostatic agents
* [http://www.celoxmedical.com/ Celox]
* [http://www.hemcon.com/productstechnology/hemconbandageoverview.aspx HemCon]
* [http://www.z-medica.com/quikclot/ QuikClot]

{{Antihemorrhagics}}

[[Category:Hemostatic agents| ]]
[[Category:Shaving]]


[[de:Alaunstift]]
[[es:Lápiz estíptico]]


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