First Aid for Nose Bleed

Nose Bleeding:

A nosebleed occurs when blood flows from one or both nostrils. It’s normally caused by the tiny blood vessels of the nostrils that are being ruptured.

Common causes of nosebleeds include a blow to the nose, Sinusitis, sneezing, picking or blowing the nose, Cold or flu, climate, Nasal allergies and high blood pressure.

First Aid for Nose Bleeding:

1. Help the person to sit up straight or lean forward slightly. Don't have the person lie down or tilt the head backwards which will reduce the bleeding.
2. With index and thumb finger, firmly pinch the nose against the face.
3. Ask them to breathe through their mouth and pinch the soft part of the nose, taking a small pause for every ten minutes, until the bleeding stops.
4. Encourage them not to speak, swallow, spit or cough because this may break blood clots in the nose.
5. Place a cold cloth on the person’s forehead and around the neck.
6. If bleeding continues after 10 minutes, repeat the process.
7. If the bleeding is severe & doesn’t stop even after 20 minutes or heavy bleeding that may cause hard to breathe then call Blood For Sure helpline 080 67335555.

Causes:

The most common causes of nosebleeds are:

1. Blowing your nose hard & frequently which may damage the delicate blood vessels of the mucous membrane.
2. Picking the inside of your nose - especially if it is done often, the inside of the nose is irritated which cause the nosebleed.
3. Sinusitis
4. A cold or flu- if the people are suffering from cold and flu, they blow their nose more often and it raises the risk of nosebleeds.
5. Climate: Hot climates, dry air can cause drying & crack inside the nose and they may cause bleeding and infections in the nose.
6. Liver disease can cause blood clotting and result in frequent or severe nosebleeds.
7. Other Causes of nose bleed include Allergies, Aspirin use, hypertension, Haemophilia, chemical irritants like ammonia, Cocaine use, Trauma to the nose, Nasal surgery.

Nosebleed Prevention:

1. Most nosebleeds occur during dry climate and cold winter. So use a humidifier in the home, especially in bedrooms. Use Petroleum jelly, antibiotic ointment, which may help to keep the nasal passages moist.
2. Avoid not to pick or blow the nose too harsh & vigorously.
3. If the nosebleed is related to an underlying medical condition like liver disease or a chronic sinus condition, consult your doctor.
4. Avoid lifting or straining after a nosebleed.
5. Limit your use of aspirin
6. If you have a history of high blood pressure, keep it under control because which is also a cause for the nosebleed.

Treatment for Nosebleed:

1. A minor nosebleed that has stopped May doesn’t require treatment at all. But if the bleeding is severe, a nasal spray can be used to close off blood vessels and to control bleeding.
2. If the Nose bleeding occurs after a head injury, then there are chances of skull fracture, and x-rays should be taken.
3. If the source of the bleeding is from a blood vessel then, a health care practitioner may seal the blood vessel with silver nitrate after applying a local anaesthetic inside the nose.
4. In complicated cases, a nasal packing is also used to control the bleeding. Nasal packings apply direct pressure to the nostril which helps in clotting and controls the bleeding. Types of Nasal packings include petroleum gauze, synthetic sponge packs and balloon nasal packs that help to expand when moistened.

Frequently Asking Questions:

1. When should I consult a doctor for a nosebleed?

You must consult the doctor if -

The bleeding does not stop even after 20 minutes.

If Bleeding occurs after a head injury.

If the nose is injured.

You should consult the doctor if you have recurrent nosebleeds that are not associated with a cold or other minor irritation.

2. What is the Prevision of nosebleed?

Nosebleeds are rarely life threatening. Sometimes blood loss may be severe, especially in posterior nosebleeds. Repeated nosebleeds may cause iron deficiency anaemia.

3. What are the main causes of nose bleeds?

The most common causes of nosebleeds are:

Blowing your nose hard & frequently, Picking the inside of your nose, Sinusitis, A cold or flu, Climate, and Liver disease.

Other Causes include Allergies, Aspirin use, hypertension, Haemophilia, chemical irritants like ammonia, Cocaine use, Trauma to the nose, Nasal surgery.

4. What are the types of nosebleeds?

There are two types of nosebleeds.

Anterior (front) nosebleeds are one of the most common and occur just inside the opening of the nose. More commonly, these nosebleeds are located between the nostrils.

Posterior nosebleeds are very rare and are located in the back of the nasal cavity. These nosebleeds are particularly in children. These nosebleeds, cannot be treated by pinching the nose. For Posterior nosebleeds, you should consult the physician.

5. How can I stop a nosebleed?

1. Help the person to sit up straight or lean forward slightly. Help the person to lean forward which will reduce the bleeding.

2. Firmly pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bone up against the face.

3. Ask them to breathe through the mouth and pinch the nose, taking a small pause for every ten minutes, until the bleeding stops.

4. Encourage them not to speak, swallow, spit or cough because this may break blood clots in the nose.

5. Place a cold cloth on the person’s forehead and around the neck.

6. If bleeding continues after 10 minutes, repeat the process.

7. If the bleeding is severe & doesn’t stop even after 20 minutes or heavy bleeding that may cause hard to breathe then consult your physician.

For any medical emergency including Ambulance, blood requirement call for Blood For Sure helpline 080 67335555 or visit Blood for Sure website http://www.bloodforsure.com/. To register in Blood For Sure, app link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.areratech.bloodforsure&hl=en.

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