Haemophilia describes a group of bleeding disorders.

They are quite rare and cause

problems with blood clotting. In other words, someone with haemophilia may
continue to bleed for longer than normal if they are injured, or start bleeding for
another reason.

Symptoms of haemophilia can include:

Bleeding into joints, muscles or soft tissues (sometimes without an obvious injury).
Prolonged bleeding after cuts, bites or minor surgery (e.g. tooth extraction or
circumcision).
Bruising on the surface of the skin.
Blood in the urine.
Although some of these symptoms may be more obvious and distressing, it is the joint and
muscle damage that can develop over time as a result of frequent bleeds that can cause
significant long-term issues. If haemophilia is not treated properly, over time the muscles and
joints can get so damaged that mobility can be affected. Thats why it is so important to treat
haemophilia and undergo rehabilitation (with physiotherapy) after bleeds.

What stops blood from clotting?

When most people cut themselves, a complex natural reaction starts in the body to heal the
wound. Within seconds of the injury, cells in the blood (known as platelets) clump together
around the wound.
These platelets, along with blood proteins, calcium and other clotting factors react together and
form what is known as a clot. This acts like a plug over the wound preventing further bleeding.
Over the next several days to weeks, the clot strengthens and then dissolves when the wound is
healed.