Nosebleeds are common, especially if you have colds or allergies. Many things can cause a nosebleed.
Some nosebleeds stop on their own with pressure. Others need packing. Some get cauterized (sealed). If you have gauze or other packing materials in your nose, you will need to follow up with your doctor to have the packing removed. You may need more treatment if you get nosebleeds a lot.
Most nosebleeds occur in the front of the nose and involve only one nostril. Some blood may drain down the back of the nose into the throat. These nosebleeds typically are not serious, and you can generally treat them yourself at home.
A less common but more serious type of nosebleed starts in the back of the nose and often involves both nostrils. Large amounts of blood may run down the back of the throat. This type of nosebleed may occur more frequently in older adults because of health conditions they may have. You will need treatment from a doctor to control bleeding from this type of nosebleed.
Nose cautery can help prevent nosebleeds. The doctor uses a chemical swab or an electric current to cauterize the inside of the nose. This seals the blood vessels and builds scar tissue to help prevent more bleeding.
For this procedure, your doctor made the inside of your nose numb. After the procedure, you may feel itching and pain in your nose for 3 to 5 days. Over-the-counter pain medicines can help with pain. You may feel like you want to touch, scratch, or pick at the inside of your nose. But doing this may cause more nosebleeds.
The following tips may prevent a nosebleed from happening.
Use a saline- or water-based nasal gel, such as NasoGel, or an antiseptic nasal cream.
Smoking can dry out your nose and increase your chance of a nosebleed. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
Nosebleeds may develop in people who have colds or chronic allergy symptoms (postnasal drip, sneezing, or a runny, stuffy, or itchy nose) because nasal tissues become inflamed and irritated. Using medicines may relieve the symptoms, leading to less inflammation and irritation and fewer nosebleeds. But overuse of allergy medicines may lead to nosebleeds because of their overdrying side effects.
Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed.
If you are helping someone else stop a nosebleed, avoid touching the other person's blood. Use gloves, if available, or layers of fabric or a plastic bag to protect yourself.
Do not tilt your head back. This may cause blood to run down the back of your throat, and you may swallow it. Swallowed blood can irritate your stomach and cause vomiting. And vomiting may make the bleeding worse or cause it to start again. Spit out any blood that gathers in your mouth and throat rather than swallowing it.
The nose consists of a hard, bony part and a softer part made of cartilage. Nosebleeds usually occur in the soft part of the nose. Spraying the nose with a decongestant nasal spray like oxymetazoline (Afrin) before applying pressure may help stop a nosebleed. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. You will have to breathe through your mouth.
Use a clock to time the 5 minutes. It can seem like a long time. Resist the urge to peek after a few minutes to see if your nose has stopped bleeding.
If it is, hold it for 10 more minutes. Most nosebleeds will stop after 10 to 20 minutes of direct pressure.
Use petroleum jelly or a saline- or water-based nasal gel.
Nosebleeds that recur often are commonly caused by bleeding from the front of the nose (anterior epistaxis). Common causes of this type of nosebleed are:
Recurring nosebleeds can also be caused by:
When nosebleeds cannot be controlled by home treatment, you need to see your doctor.
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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