How to Get Dried Blood Out Of Your Hair?

There can be numerous reasons for dried blood in your hair, such as scalp inflammation and dryness, a bad case of dandruff, or cosmetic treatments.

Regardless of the reason, it’s essential that you wash your hair and remove the dried blood to keep your hair and scalp clean. Fortunately, there are many different ways you can remove dried blood from your hair, and most of them are pretty straightforward.

So, today, let’s go over the different ways you can get dried blood out of your hair, so you can get back the crowning glory you love.

Now, let’s dive right in.

Dried Blood In Hair: The Root Causes To Consider

Before we proceed to discuss the step-by-step process of getting rid of dried blood out of your hair, let’s first look at the potential causes.

Doing so will help you identify what’s causing it and address the problem quickly and avoid worse issues than dried blood later on.

With that said, here are the most common reasons you may find dried blood in your hair.

Contact Dermatitis

One of the potential reasons you have dried blood in your hair is contact dermatitis, a condition that causes a red and itchy rash on your scalp. This is often caused by coming into contact with certain materials like latex, which can cause an allergic reaction.

Aside from that, other examples of what may affect your scalp are extracts from plants like poison ivy and poison oak, as well as other outdoor vegetation. Likewise, if harmful chemicals such as bleach and battery acid come into contact with your scalp, this may also cause inflammation on your scalp and make it itch.

As a result of your allergic response, your scalp may develop dry spots that itch or burn. Then, if you scratch your scalp, you may wound your scalp, which may produce some scabs.

This can cause blood particles to remain in your hair over time, potentially leading to worse conditions. Fortunately, contact dermatitis is not contagious to others and can easily be cured.

Dandruff

Also called seborrheic dermatitis, some cases of dandruff can worsen to the point wherein the scabs and flakes start to turn brown and reddish. Many have even complained about scratching the itch on their head and finding red scabs or dried blood in their fingernails.

While the most common telltale signs of dandruff usually involve scaly dried skin that falls off as flakes, it can be a cause for concern once it starts to bleed on its own.

Scalp Lacerations

Last but not least common cause for dried blood in your hair is scalp lacerations from a head injury, which often need stitches or staples.

Scalp lacerations may sometimes bleed as it heals and may mean that you get a tetanus shot. In this case, you need to be extra careful with removing the blood since cleaning chemicals may aggravate the wound.

Removing Dried Blood From Your Hair

When removing blood from your hair, it’s so much easier when it’s fresh. All you have to do is to wash it off or wipe it off with a wet wipe, and you’re almost always good to go.

However, dried blood can be more difficult to get out of your hair since you can risk further irritating your scalp when not done properly. Here are a few effective ways to get rid of dry blood in your hair as below:

• Use a mild shampoo

Using a mild shampoo in combination with repeated conditioners will gently loosen and wash away the dry blood on the hair. Some people think that warm water will treat dried blood better, but in reality, warm water will make the blood stick and harder to remove. Therefore, it is best if you wash your hair with cold or cool water.

• Use hydrogen peroxide 

Use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water to soak the blood clots on your hair and incubate your hair. This mixture will break up the clots and remove them. To avoid bleaching your hair due to residual hydrogen peroxide, you need to rinse with cold water several times. Finally, finish by washing with a mild shampoo and cool water.

An Easiest Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Dried Blood from Your Hair

Now that you know what the two primary processes of removing dried blood from your hair are, let’s now discuss how to remove it in a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Prepare Everything You Need

First, you should gather all your supplies in one area. It’s best that you have all the products you need within reach. This way, you won’t have to stress over the whole process, especially when there are missing items.

That said, here’s a list of all the items you can use to remove dried blood from your hair.

What you need:

• Wide-tooth comb
• Hydrogen peroxide (dissolved in water)
• Cold water
• Mild shampoo
• Conditioner (optional)
• Cotton towel
• Shower cap (optional)

Step 2: Wet or Dampen Your Hair

Again, if you’re finding it difficult to comb your hair while dry, you can spritz some water on your hair to make the process easier.

Since the next step involves dissolving the dried blood from your hair, making your hair a bit damp can help the chemicals become more effective. In fact, dry hair can make the process more difficult.

Step 3: Comb Your Hair 

After wetting your hair, you will comb and untangle it. You should do this carefully and gently to remove any clumps in your hair and avoid further damage to your scalp and hair.

Dried blood can clump your hair together, which can cause some tangles and can make the process even more challenging. While combing your hair, if you encounter tangles that are difficult and painful to comb, you can add more water to that part.

 

Step 4: Dissolve the Dried Blood

Dissolving the dried blood is vital when removing dried blood from your hair. If scalp wounds cause dried blood in your hair, you need to remember to proceed with caution while applying these solutions to your hair to prevent further damage.

Step 5: Leave the Solution in Your Hair for a While

It is best to keep the product in your hair for a while to enjoy the best results. Leaving them in for around 10 to 15 minutes is enough time before rinsing them out. By doing so, the solutions will take effect and loosen the dried blood hair from your strands without irreparably damaging your hair.

You can also wrap your hair in a towel or put on a shower cap while you wait. However, you need to be careful that the chemicals don’t come into direct contact with your scalp, especially if you have lacerations or wounds.

Lastly, don’t forget to rinse them out as soon as the 10 to 15 minutes are over to avoid worsening the damage to your scalp and hair. You can also remove some of the dissolved or loosened dried blood with a damp cloth.

Step 6: Rinse Your Hair with Cold Water

Once the dried blood has been dissolved and partly removed with a damp cloth, you should remove the chemicals from your hair since they may cause more harm if left in longer than necessary.

Step 7: Use Mild Shampoos for Sensitive Scalps

Once you’ve rinsed out the solutions, you can then wash your hair with a mild shampoo that’s formulated specifically for your scalps. Doing so will help wash off any residues and retain the moisture in your hair.

Aside from that, mild shampoos can also help gently remove dried blood and flakes while addressing the underlying reasons for your dandruff without hurting or aggravating your already inflamed scalp.

Lastly, it would be best to keep in mind not to scrub or rub your scalp when trying to lather the shampoo, as doing so may further irritate your scalp. Instead, use gentle stroking motions without putting too much pressure on your head.

Step 8: Condition Your Hair (Optional)

While this step is optional, conditioning your hair after washing it can help keep it nourished and soft, especially given that hydrogen peroxide can dry your hair strands.

Using conditioners can help mitigate the drying effect and promote the recovery of your crowning glory. Moreover, softening your hair allows you to easily remove any dried blood in the future.

Step 9: Apply Medication as Instructed

Suppose the dried blood comes from scalp lacerations, staples, or stitches. In that case, you may need to apply the prescribed treatment or ointment on your scalp, especially before all the staples are removed, to prevent any infections.

This also means that you should avoid rubbing or scrubbing your scalp with a towel when drying your hair. Furthermore, if the wound is still fresh and the staples are still intact, you are advised against putting your head underwater.

Conclusion

Removing dry blood from the scalp is a matter of gentleness and patience. The steps should be handled as gently as possible to avoid injuring your already damaged scalp. For surgically dried blood stains, before removing them, contact your surgeon for best advice.

With that said, we hope that you now know the steps you need to follow if you want to remove dried blood from your hair without damaging your scalp or strands.