Emergency 101: Important Things To Do When Your Nose Bleeds

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Some Facts About Nosebleeds

People have different reactions to nosebleeds – it can be frightening, scary or dramatic. But luckily, nosebleeds are not severe, though it can happen to anyone at anytime. Nosebleeds normally happen when the nose is irritated or because of colds. Also, the air that we breathe can also contribute to the incidence of nosebleeds. For instance, during summer and winter months the air becomes very dry (resulting from the coldness or dryness of the weather), which makes the air moving in and out of the nose dry, too. This could irritate the nostrils, which contain thousand of small blood vessels. Once irritated, the membrane linings inside the nose can easily get cut and cracked. So, once a person picks, rubs or blows his/her nose, it can irritate the membrane linings causing nosebleeds. In this case, stopping the bleeding of the nose is the top priority of first aids.

What Are The Types Of Nosebleeds?

There are two types of nosebleeds – anterior and posterior nosebleeds.

  • Anterior nosebleeds are the most common types of nosebleeds we experience, where the bleeding comes from the frontal blood vessels of the nose. They are easier to manage and control.
  • Posterior nosebleeds, however, are more complicated and may be a result of a pre-existing medical condition, so it is needed to be checked up by a physician. It is more commonly seen in older patients.

Important First Aid Tips For A Bleeding Nose

  • Sit straight with your body bending forward, because this helps drain out the blood on your nose. Also, keeping the bleeding part elevated from the heart is the best way to stop the bleeding.
Nose Bleeds
Sitting and bending forward is the right position to drain out the blood from the nose.
  • Softly pinching the end portion of the nose can also help the bleeding stop.
  • Placing ice pack on the nose bridge is also a helpful remedy for nose bleeds.
  • Do not blow your nose, because it can further irritate the nostrils and aggravate the bleeding
  • Do not swallow the blood, because this can make you choke, cough or even vomit.
  • Never tilt your head back, because it only makes the blood run back into the throat.
  • Once the nosebleed stops, remain calm and avoid unnecessary movement. When you get nervous, your blood pumps faster and it can possible trigger another nosebleed. Too much movement and activities can also strain the affected nose, which might cause another episode of nosebleed.
  • If the bleeding does not stop after you have conducted first aid interventions, it is important to call a doctor to have your condition checked. This way, they can determine if the nose bleed is associated to a pre-existing medical condition.
  • Finally, if your nosebleeds occur too frequently, you should see a doctor to further evaluate your condition.

Related Video on Nosebleeds

Sources:

Nosebleed (Epitaxis, Nose Bleed, Bloody Nose) (2014). MedicineNet.com. Retrieved online on March 18, 2014 from http://www.medicinenet.com/nosebleed/article.htm

Nosebleeds. (2012). Web MD. Retrieved online on March 18, 2014 from http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/nosebleeds-causes-and-treatments

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