For patients on blood thinners in Tampa, medical supplies should be kept on hand in case of accidents.
Blood thinners like Warfarin are fantastic medications that help tens of thousands of people every year. If you have atrial fibrillation or you’re at risk for stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism, your doctor might put you on an anticoagulant to reduce the chances of a dangerous blood clot.
The downside, of course, is that blood thinners can be dangerous if you get into an accident or even just have a minor injury at home. That’s because these drugs don’t allow your body to form clots quickly to stop external bleeding. You could suffer dangerous blood loss.
If you’re on blood thinners, the No. 1 rule is to be careful. Do your best to avoid cuts or other injuries that might cause bleeding.
But it’s also important to be prepared in case an accident happens anyway. First aid kits are a good start, but you should focus on anticoagulant-specific items. Have medical supplies on hand that can minimize bleeding, as well as ways to notify medical personnel that you’re on blood thinners in the case that you need care when you’re unconscious.
Visit your friendly Tampa home medical supply store if you’re on blood thinners and need supplies or equipment. Here are a few suggestions for items you should always have around—just in case.
NOTE: It’s important to seek medical help for serious injuries, especially when you’re on an anticoagulant medication.
Bandages
If you’re on anticoagulants, bandaids usually won’t cut it (so to speak). Large, absorbent, sterile bandages, gauze, and other dressings are vital for controlling bleeding. And don’t forget sturdy tape to hold dressings in place. Standard bandage adhesives typically won’t work in the case of heavy bleeding.
Bleed Stops
You may associate bleeding stop applications like styptic pencils with shaving kits. But these remarkable clot promoters can be especially handy for people on blood thinners. If you’re on one of these medications, even the most minor nicks and scratches can take a long time to stop bleeding.
And you have options. Here are some common bleeding stop applications:
- Powder
- Gel
- Styptic pencil
- Alum block
Additional Anticoagulant Supplies
- Medical ID bracelet/card: It’s absolutely vital to have an ID card, medical bracelet, or some other indicator to tell medical personnel what medication you’re on. While personalized options are available, you can also quickly find IDs that have been already labeled with a variety of medications and medical conditions.
- Sterile gloves: In the case of excessive bleeding, it’s important to try to keep the wound as clean as possible. It’s also good so that anyone helping you can avoid spreading blood further.
- Gentle toothbrush: Yes, even bleeding gums can be an issue with anticoagulants. Fortunately, gentle toothbrushes are available so you can keep up your dental hygiene without damaging gums.
Ask a Tampa Medical Supplier
For people who’ve just been prescribed blood thinners, it can be a little overwhelming to focus so much on caution and first aid supplies. The good news is, these are great medications that save lives, and the risks of bleeding from accidents are well known. Your local Tampa medical supplier can help you gather the equipment you need to keep you safe and put your mind at ease.