Dumb question about alum

[JeffE]

So, here's stupid question #5,950:

Is there any difference at all in the "alum" or "stypic sticks" sold in various forms? Or do I just want to get the cheapest one available.

(Just curious, because without the stick, I would have died from blood loss this morning!!)

 

[jkh]

Well, stypic pens/pencils/sticks are typically used to stop bleeding for a "more serious" cut, whereas alum is typically used as antibacterial/astringent aftershave treatment. I think the confusion arises because the alum block does act as mild styptic to stop bleeding of small/minor nicks.

 

[JeffE]

So that's interesting -- I actually thought that the alum and stiptic or stypic were the same thing! Thanks!

 

[soapbox]

Well, Alum and a styptic pencil are mostly the same thing; each is a form of alum.

Wiki page is here.

 

[h2oman]

Learn something new everyday