What to do when nosebleeds

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Scientifically based advice on how to stop nosebleeds, when to see a doctor, and what to do if you have frequent bleeding.

How to stop mild bleeding

Minor nosebleeds can start spontaneously or after a minor injury to the nose. As a rule, they do not pose any danger.

To stop light bleeding, do the following:

1. Sit down and keep your head straight. No need to throw it back. Blood should not drain down the throat.
2. Firmly pinch the soft part of the nose with your fingers and do not let go for 10-15 minutes. For the first 10 minutes, be patient and don't check to see if the bleeding has stopped.
3. If after 10-15 minutes the blood does not stop, continue pinching your nose for another 15 minutes.

To stop the bleeding more quickly, you can use a cold reliever with a vasoconstrictor effect, such as xylometazoline solution.

If the bleeding does not stop within 30 minutes, see your doctor.

Signs of dangerous nosebleeds

It is relatively rare that nosebleeds begin due to damage to the large blood vessels that are located in the back of the nose. It can be dangerous due to the risk of large blood loss.

Call an ambulance if:

• Large amounts of blood drain into the mouth or throat.
• Blood clots form.
• Bleeding began a few days after surgery in the nasal cavity or throat, for example after removing nasal polyps or adenoids.
• The bleeding began after a strong blow.

The doctor can stop the bleeding with a nasal tamponade. This is a procedure during which gauze tampons soaked in vasoconstrictor drugs are inserted into the nasal cavity.

Causes of frequent but minor nosebleeds

Frequent nosebleeds can be associated with many different causes. Usually the problem can be solved with relatively simple steps. Less often you have to see a doctor.

The following are the main causes of frequent nosebleeds and tips for solving the problem.

Colds and prolonged runny nose

If frequent nosebleeds occur during a cold or with a prolonged runny nose:

• Try to blow your nose more carefully.
• Open your mouth when you sneeze.
• Don't pick your nose.
• If your nose is stuffy, drip normal saline or a mild salt solution into your nose before blowing your nose.

Dry air

Another reason for the frequent appearance of nosebleeds can be too dry indoor air.

This problem can be solved with a humidifier. An even simpler solution is to place an open container of water next to a heat source.

Nasal sprays

If a person uses nasal sprays on a regular basis, for example to treat allergies, improper use technique could be a possible cause of bleeding.

In the area of the nasal septum, there are many fragile vessels. To avoid damaging them, the nose of the bottle must be directed towards the wing of the nose. For example, when injecting medicine into the left nostril, hold the bottle with your right hand and point it to the left, away from the septum.

Increased fragility of small vessels

In some people, frequent nosebleeds are caused by increased fragility of the small vessels in the front of the nasal septum.

The fragility of blood vessels may be congenital or may occur in old age.

To solve this problem, you need to see a doctor. He may suggest cauterization of the mucous membrane with silver nitrate or a special surgical instrument. This procedure is called cauterization.

Other causes of frequent nosebleeds

More rare causes of frequent nasal bleeding include:

• Congenital bleeding disorders.
• Chronic liver disease.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Medicines that reduce blood clotting.
• Curvature or perforation of the nasal septum.
• Tumors in the nasal cavity.
• Oncological diseases of the blood.

In all these situations, treatment tactics depend on the disease.

If you have any other symptoms along with frequent bleeding, you need to see a doctor.