An antihemorrhagic (antihaemorrhagic) agent is a substance that promotes hemostasis (stops bleeding).[1] It may also be known as a hemostatic (also spelled haemostatic) agent.[2]
Styptics (also spelled stiptics) are a specific type of antihemorrhagic agent that work by contracting tissue to seal injured blood vessels. Styptic pencils contain astringents.[3]
Antihemorrhagic agents used in medicine have various mechanisms of action:
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There are several classes of antihemorrhagic drugs used in medicine. These include antifibrinolytics, vitamin K, fibrinogen, and blood coagulation factors.
Topical 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.
Microfibrillar collagen hemostat (MCH) is a topical agent composed of resorbable microfibrillar collagen. It attracts platelets and allows for the formation of a blood clot when it comes into contact with blood. Unlike the hemostatic clamp, no mechanical action is involved. The surgeon presses the MCH against a bleeding site, and the collagen attracts and helps with the clotting process to eventually stop bleeding.
The practical application for MCH is different from that of the hemostatic clamp.
Chitosan hemostats are topical agents composed of chitosan and its salts. Chitosan bonds with platelets and red blood cells to form a gel-like clot which seals a bleeding vessel. Unlike other hemostat technologies its action does not require the normal hemostatic pathway and therefore continues to function even when anticoagulants like heparin are present.
Chitosan is used in some emergency hemostats which are designed to stop traumatic life-threatening bleeding. Their use is well established in many military and trauma units.
Hemostatic chemicals use Chitosan in commercial products such as roll gauzes, and granular powders. Zeolite, for example is used in QuikClot, a dressing.
A styptic or hemostatic pencil (not to be confused with a caustic pencil) is a short stick of medication, usually anhydrous aluminum sulfate, potassium alum (both are types of alum) or titanium dioxide which is used for stanching blood by causing blood vessels to contract at the site of the wound. Before safety razors were invented, it was an essential part of a shaving kit and was used to seal cuts caused by improper shaving.[4] Some people continue to use styptic pencils for minor skin wounds from safety or electric razors.[4]
A similar substance, 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.
According to Boston Poison Control Hotline (July 26, 2011) Kwik-Stop Styptik Powder for pets is safe for humans to use though it is different from styptik pencils used for people (which do not contain Benzocaine).
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