FIRST AID TIPS FOR NOSE BLEEDING
Nose bleeding or Epistaxis is a common symptom seen especially in
children and elderly.
What is the commonest cause for Nose bleeding:
The lining of the nose has many blood vessels, especially in the front of
the nose. Repeated nose picking, frequent cold, acute bend in the septal
bone bleeding occur.
The other cause for nose bleeding are,
- Hypertension.
- Tumour of the nose and Para nasal sinuses.
- People having bleeding disorder or on blood thinning medications.
- Chemical irritants, blowing the nose hard, climatic conditions.
- Injury to the nose and post facial and nasal surgery.
- Pregnancy.
How to stop the nose bleeding ?
- Do not panic
- Do not lie down
- Sit upright, bend the head, slightly down
- Use the thumb and index finger to pinch the soft part of both the nostrils, breath through the mouth spit out any blood from the mouth in a bowl
- Keep pinching the nose for 5-10 minutes. Most of the bleeding will stop by now. Application of ice pack to the bridge of the nose also helps.
What to do when there is persistent or recurrent nose bleeding ?
Consult an ENT surgeon who will evaluate by a physical examination, nasal endoscopy, blood investigations, and imaging, physician opinion to reduce the blood pressure will be advised.
The ENT surgeon would place a pack in the nose if there is active bleeding. The cause of the bleeding will be diagnosed and treated sometimes, the bleeding might be controlled with diathermy ( cautery ) or ligation of the blood vessel in the nose by endoscopic approach under anaesthesia.
A Sharp septal spur if found will be corrected by an operation called septoplasty.
A hematologist opinion will be advised if there is any bleeding disorders.