Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Dennis W. Cooper on 20/04/2011 10:25:28

Title: Why do people suck on a bleeding wound?
Post by: Dennis W. Cooper on 20/04/2011 10:25:28

Dennis W. Cooper  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris,   Love your show. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) 

Why do people instinctively suck on a bleeding  wound, e.g., a small cut on a finger?  Since the mouth contains many germs,  it would seem that a person would not want to do this?

Thanks,

Dennis Cooper Santa Barbara, California,  USA

What do you think?

Title: Why do people suck on a bleeding wound?
Post by: cheryl j on 22/11/2011 20:41:17

I've always wondered that too. And it isnt just a stupid human trick, since animals seem to lick their wounds as well, at least dogs and cats anyway. All I can figure is that perhaps your own mouth bacteria are less likely to be pathogenic than soil organisms. I suupose cleaning a wound with saliva might be better than nothing. There are small amounts of secreted antibodies in spit, but I don't know if its enough to have any effect. I also wonder if there's anything in saliva that makes blood clot faster. People also seem to do this, though, in response to other injuries, even when the skin isnt broken, like when you hit your finger with a hammer. Maybe it decreases the pain sensation.

Title: Why do people suck on a bleeding wound?
Post by: CZARCAR on 22/11/2011 20:56:13

evolution=2 early hunters,hungry, hunted a boar & both failed & ended up bleeding. 1 sucked his blood & the other didnt

Title: Why do people suck on a bleeding wound?
Post by: RD on 22/11/2011 22:59:10

Quote from: cheryl j on 22/11/2011 20:41:17

I also wonder if there's anything in saliva that makes blood clot faster.

Quote from: Journal of the American Society of H{a}ematology

 Human saliva triggers coagulation ...

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/content/early/2011/01/19/blood-2010-06-290460