nosebleeds – Hello Doctor

When should you call a doctor about a nosebleed?

May 3rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Having blood drip from your nose can be terrifying! Epistaxis, commonly known as a nosebleed, is when blood flows from one or both nostrils. The flow can be heavy or light and last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes or more.

Nosebleeds aren’t usually a sign of anything serious and can often be treated at home. There are some times though when you may need to see your doctor.

According to information from the University of California, roughly 60% of people have a nosebleed at some point, and it’s more common amongst children.

Nosebleeds are categorised based on where they originate; either anterior (originating from the front of the nose) or posterior (from the back of the nose).

Anterior nosebleeds are the most common and usually easy to control. The bleeding comes from a blood vessel on the nasal septum, which is where a network of blood vessels all join together.

Posterior nosebleeds are less common. They tend to happen more often in elderly people. The bleeding starts from an artery in the back part of the nose. These nosebleeds are complicated and usually need an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist).

Most nosebleeds don’t have an easily identifiable cause. Trauma to the nose is a very common cause of nosebleeds, as is a blow to the face, or trauma to the inside of the nose from nose picking. Other causes include:

Nasal and sinus infections.
An object stuck in the nose.
Forceful nose blowing.
Nasal surgery.
Deviated or perforated nasal septum.
Changes in humidity or temperature which make the inside of the nose dry and cracked.
Cocaine use.

In unusual cases, an underlying disease or certain medications may cause a nosebleed or even make it more difficult to control.

Stop a nosebleed

Stay calm.
Sit up straight and lean slightly forward.
Lean your head forward (don’t tilt your head back, you may swallow the blood).
Pinch your nostrils together and apply direct pressure with the thumb and index finger for 10 minutes.
Spit out any blood in the mouth. Swallowing blood may cause vomiting.

Once the bleeding has stopped, try to prevent any further irritation to the nose, (like sneezing, nose blowing, or straining) for 24 hours.

Dry air, like a heated home, can contribute to the problem. Add moisture to the air with a humidifier or vaporiser.

You can also place a pot filled with water near a heat source, like a heater or radiator, to allow the water to evaporate and add moisture to the air.

Nasal saline sprays or other lubricating ointments or gels are always useful for tissue healing and keeping the nasal passages moist.

Go to the hospital if:

You’re still bleeding after pinching the nose for 10 to 20 minutes.
You have repeated episodes of nosebleeds over a short time, or lose a large amount of blood.
You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
You have a rapid heartbeat or trouble breathing.
You’re vomiting blood.
You have a rash or temperature.

References:

Nose bleeds – what you need to know

February 12th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

‘My nose always bleeds when it’s hot.’ ‘I carry around tissues, because I never know if my nose will start bleeding again.’ ‘This time of year, I always get nose-bleeds’.

Does this sound like you? Then follow these tips to make your life a little less bloody. Continue reading “Nose bleeds – what you need to know”

How to treat your child’s nosebleed

November 8th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

“MOM – my nose is bleeding!” Nosebleeds are common in children between the ages of 3 and 10 years old. Most bleeds are caused by dry air. Heated indoor air or a dry climate dries out and irritates nasal membranes, causing crusts that may itch and then bleed when scratched or picked. Colds can also irritate the lining of the nose, with bleeding following repeated nose-blowing.

Handling a nosebleed

While nosebleeds can be dramatic, most can be managed at home and stop on their own. Here’s what you can do:

Keep your child calm
Seat your child upright on your lap or in a chair, then tilt her head slightly forward.
Get a clean cloth or tissue and gently pinch the soft part of her nose – just below the bony ridge.
It’s important that you DON’T have your child lean back – this could cause blood to flow down the back of the throat, which may cause gagging, vomiting or coughing.
If it’s a serious bleed, keep pressure on the nose for about 10 minutes; if you stop too soon, bleeding may start again.
After a nosebleed, discourage nose-blowing, rubbing or picking – let your child relax and avoid any rough play for a while.

When to call the doctor

Make an appointment with the doctor if your child:

May have put something in his or her nose
Has nosebleeds often
Bruises easily
Has bleeding from another place, such as the gums or heavy bleeding from minor wounds
Has just started taking new medication
Has very heavy nose-bleeds accompanied by dizziness or weakness
Has a nosebleed after blow to the head, or a fall
Has bleeding that doesn’t stop after two attempts of applying pressure for 10 minutes each

Tips for preventing nosebleeds

Since most nosebleeds in kids are caused by nose-picking or irritation from hot dry air, keep your child’s nails short to prevent injuries from nose-picking. Also, use saline spray to keep the inside of the nose moist and run a humidifier in bedrooms if the air is dry. Most of all, nosebleeds are part of childhood, so don’t panic!

Source:

http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/nosebleeds-causes-and-treatments