Bloody Nose Treatment
Guidelines for Bloody Nose Treatment
Despite popular opinion, bloody nose treatment does not involve tilting the patient’s head back while stuffing their nose with pennies. Proper treatment for bloody noses is a combination of pinching, utilizing gravity, and over-the-counter medication, depending on the severity and reoccurrence of the bleed.
For a common nosebleed, a few simple tips and techniques can be followed to stop the blood flow. Begin by absorbing as much blood as possible with a tissue, napkin, or clean fabric if nothing is available. Pinch the nostrils and soft tip of the nose together with your thumb and forefinger. The pressure will help stop the flow of blood and allow the clotting process to begin.
It is very important that the patient’s head is not tilted backwards. Many people believe tilting to the back will help stop bleeding, but in actuality the blood runs down the back of the throat. This can lead to vomiting, blockages, and possible asphyxiation. Instead, tilt the head slightly forward to ensure that no blood trickles down the back of the throat.
Make sure that the person with the nosebleed is leaning slightly forward and remains as motionless as possible, preventing blood pressure from elevating and thus triggering another bleed. Ideally, the patient should sit still for five to ten minutes. One may be tempted to lie down at this point, but it is important to avoid this. The head should remain higher than the heart.
Cold compresses can also help to stop the bleeding. If ice and a towel is available, make an ice pack. If there is no ice, run the towel under very cold water, wring it out, and apply it to the nose and cheeks of the person while they continue to rest in a seated position.
Once the bloody nose treatment has been followed and the bleeding has stopped, it is important to remember that another nosebleed can easily occur in the hours following. To avoid this, the patient should go home or to a quiet, private location and remain seated as comfortably as possible, with their head elevated at approximately a forty to forty-five degree angle.
If possible, the patient should avoid blowing his or her nose for the next several hours. The sudden pressure from this can easily trigger another bleed. If a sneeze is unavoidable, be sure that the mouth is wide open, causing the force of air to escape through the mouth, and not the nasal cavity.
Hot foods and liquid should also be avoided for a twenty four hour period. The heat can thin the blood, allowing the clotting to give way to a fresh trickle of blood. Instead, try to limit food to soft, cool items.
If the above steps have been followed, and another nose bleed occurs, additional bloody nose treatment and prevention may be required. Since many nosebleeds are caused by dry nasal cavities, consider using a lubricant inside the nostrils to help the area stay moist. Certain nose sprays and nasal decongestants can also be used, as they constrict the blood vessels. Prolonged use of some nasal sprays can lead to high blood pressure, so be sure to contact a physician if there are concerns regarding this.
There are certain situations where it is advised to seek medical attention in regards to a nose bleed. If the bleeding will not stop or reoccurs frequently, if the bleeding is severe in nature, or if the person is feeling dizzy or queasy due to blood loss, it is necessary to seek an urgent care center or in some cases, an emergency room.