Can using cigarette ash to stop bleeding cause infection?
Dec 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wan
Introduction
The probability of infection from using soot for hemostasis is very high, and the hemostatic effect is uncertain. Soot is not absolutely sterile. Sprinkling soot on bleeding wounds significantly increases bacterial load, leading to higher risk of wound infection, wound fluid accumulation, and pus formation, which may impair wound healing. For capillary bleeding, hemostasis with soot is unnecessary; if the patient's coagulation function is normal, the wound will stop bleeding spontaneously.
Cigarette ash contains a large amount of impurities and is unhygienic. Applying it to wounds may easily cause wound infection and tetanus. So, can using cigarette ash for hemostasis lead to infection?
Can Using Cigarette Ash for Hemostasis Cause Infection?
The risk of infection from using cigarette ash as a method of hemostasis is very high, and its effectiveness for stopping bleeding is uncertain. The main reasons are as follows: 1. Cigarette ash cannot be absolutely sterile. Sprinkling ash on a bleeding wound significantly increases the number of bacteria in the wound, raising the risk of infection, wound fluid accumulation, and pus formation, which may impair healing. 2. The hemostatic effect of cigarette ash is unclear. For capillary bleeding in wounds, if the patient has normal blood clotting function, bleeding usually stops spontaneously without the need for cigarette ash.
Powdery substances in cigarette ash can interfere with wound healing, potentially leaving lifelong scars. Additionally, ingesting cigarette ash may cause a sudden increase in potassium ions in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to toxic gastroenteritis. Moreover, unburned ash contains phenolic compounds that can damage the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as convulsions.
For minor wounds, bleeding may stop on its own. While cigarette ash is believed by some to have hemostatic properties due to its nicotine content—nicotine may exert anesthetic, stimulating, and possible hemostatic effects—and potassium, which might constrict blood vessels slightly and accelerate coagulation, giving the appearance of stopped bleeding, serious injuries still require medical attention. Self-treatment may not yield good results. In cases of active arterial or venous bleeding, no amount of cigarette ash applied to the wound will stop the bleeding. Proper wound disinfection, debridement, ligation, or surgical suturing are required to achieve effective hemostasis. Therefore, clinically, the use of cigarette ash for bleeding control is not recommended. We hope this answer helps you. Wishing you good health and happiness!
