What is a Styptic?
As a rule of thumb, every day life is filled with unexpected but small physical accidents. This can result in a variety of minor cuts and abrasions that need to be looked after to prevent infection. Having available and familiarizing ourselves with our first aid kits will allow us to be prepared for these little “boo boo” occasions. Definition A styptic is a type of drug or method of contracting blood vessels to prevent bleeding or blood flow. The word comes from the Greek “styptikos” and Latin “stypticus” meaning literally “to constrict, draw together”. There are a few different ways in which styptics are applied and used today. Styptic Powder This is commonly used in first aid for animals. It usually includes benzocaine, an external anesthetic that numbs the affected area. It’s commonly applied when accidentally clipping a dog’s nail, a bird’s docking tails, and cuts that may result from grooming shears. There are also substitutes that can be used in place of off the shelf styptic po
