What to Do About a Wound that Keeps Bleeding

Any breach in your skin is a wound.

Wounds happen whether you’ve been in an accident, just had surgery, or live with a chronic disease. Typically, your blood clots and seals the opening shut, allowing your skin to heal and regenerate. 

Sometimes, however, the wound remains open or keeps reopening.

Dr. Asif Aziz at Prestige Primary Care, P.A., in Dallas, Texas, understands the complicated biology behind persistent wounds and offers top-notch wound care for all types of abrasions, lacerations, incisions, and skin ulcers. 

Here’s why some wounds won’t stop bleeding and what to do about them.

Types of wounds

When something breaks your skin and causes a wound, we classify the damage according to the type of opening. 

• Abrasions are scrapes like “rug burns,” “road rash,” and skinned knees
• Lacerations are cuts from sharp objects
• Avulsions are areas where the tissue has been torn away
• Punctures are skin pierces like nail holes or animal bites

While the list above describes open wounds, closed wounds that cause internal rather than external bleeding can also occur. 

Acute wounds

Acute wounds occur suddenly and are usually the result of accidents or surgical procedures. They tend to bleed initially but should start to clot and heal within a few minutes to hours.

Chronic wounds

Chronic wounds, on the other hand, fail to heal in an orderly and timely manner. They can result from underlying conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation, or immune system disorders. Chronic wounds may continue to bleed or repeatedly reopen.

Why some wounds don’t heal

Several factors can contribute to your unhealing wound:

• Medications: blood thinners and other medications can hinder the clotting process
• Infections: an infected wound can lead to continuous bleeding
• Nutritional deficiencies: lack of nutrients like vitamin K can impact blood clotting

Knowing what’s behind your persistent wound helps you — and Dr. Aziz — understand what steps to take next. Also, learning how to handle open wounds is good if you have diabetes or another health condition that impedes wound healing.

What to do for a bleeding wound

Standard first-aid procedures are best when you have a bleeding wound. 

Apply pressure

Use a clean cloth or bandage and press firmly for several minutes. If possible, elevate the wound above your heart level to help slow the bleeding.

Clean the wound

Once the bleeding is under control, gently clean the area with water and mild soap. Don’t use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate the tissue and delay healing.

Apply a bandage

After cleaning, cover the wound with a sterile bandage or gauze to protect it and reduce the risk of infection.

When to seek medical attention for a wound

Most wounds stop bleeding on their own, but if you have a particularly deep laceration that won’t stop bleeding or have other concerns, call us. Here are some signs you need next-level help.

Persistent bleeding

If the wound continues to bleed despite applying pressure for 10-15 minutes, call Prestige Primary Care. Persistent bleeding can be a sign of an underlying issue that needs medical intervention.

Signs of infection

Look out for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth, or pus.

Large or deep wounds

For large or deep wounds, especially those that expose underlying tissues or structures, call us or go to an emergency department or urgent care facility — you may need stitches.

How we handle wounds at Prestige Primary Care

At Prestige Primary Care, Dr. Aziz specializes in managing both acute and chronic wounds. He assesses your wound and determines the best treatment, which could include any combination of the following:

Diagnostic testing and lab services

We offer on-site diagnostic testing and lab services to identify any underlying conditions that may be affecting your wound healing. 

Medication management 

We ensure you’re on the right medications to support healing and prevent complications.

Hospital treatment follow-up care

If you’ve recently been hospitalized for a wound, our team coordinates follow-up care to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Home care services

If you need more support, we offer home care services, including visiting nurses and home health aides who can assist with wound care.

Medical equipment and physical therapy

Dr. Aziz can refer you for medical equipment such as wheelchairs or walkers, as well as physical therapy to aid in your rehabilitation and recovery.

Coordination with specialists

If your wound requires specialized care, Dr. Aziz coordinates your treatment with infectious disease specialists, vascular surgeons, and other medical professionals.

If you have a wound that won’t stop bleeding or need specialized wound care, call Prestige Primary Care, P.A., or book an appointment online.