HOW TO STOP NOSE BLEEDING? FIRST AID & EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR KIDS & ADULTS

 Nosebleeds can be dramatic and frightening. Luckily, most nosebleeds are not serious and can be handled fairly easily. They are divided into two types, depending on whether the bleeding is coming from the anterior (front of the nose) or posterior (back of the nose).

• Anterior nosebleeds make up more than 90% of all nosebleeds. The bleeding usually comes from a blood vessel at the very front part of the nose. Anterior nosebleeds are usually easy to control, either by measures that can be performed at home or by a doctor.

• Posterior nosebleeds are much less common than anterior nosebleeds. They tend to occur more often in elderly people. The bleeding usually comes from an artery in the back part of the nose. These nosebleeds are more complicated and usually require admission to the hospital and management by an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist).

Nosebleeds tend to occur during winter months and in dry, cold climates. They can occur at any age but are most common in children aged 2 to 10 years and adults aged 50 to 80 years.

Nosebleed Causes :-

Most commonly, trauma to the nose triggers a nosebleed. Trauma to the outside of the nose, such as a blow to the face, or trauma inside the nose, such as nose picking or repeated irritation from a cold, can cause a nosebleed.

Less commonly, an underlying disease process, such as an inability of the blood to clot, may contribute to the bleeding. Inability of the blood to clot is most often due to blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin(Coumadin) or aspirin. Liver disease can also interfere with blood clotting. Abnormal blood vessels or cancers in the nose are rare causes of nosebleeds. High blood pressure may contribute to bleeding but is almost never the only reason for a nosebleed.

First Aid :-

Your child may be very distressed and upset by the sight and taste of blood during a nosebleed. Try to reassure your child and tell them that that they will be fine or that ‘everything is okay’. They may be frightened that there is something seriously wrong.

Crying will make the bleeding worse, so firstly it is important for you to calm and soothe your child.

Treatment :-

All emergency treatment is initially based on the first aid principles above. A nurse or doctor will show you how to hold your child’s nose to stop the bleeding.

If first aid fails and the bleeding continues, a doctor will look up into your child’s nose with a special light to see if they can find the bleeding blood vessel.

The doctor may then:

1. Apply a cream or ointment that contains a special medicine to slow the blood flow to the inside of your child’s nose.
2. Use Cautery, a special chemical to ‘freeze’ or ‘burn’ the blood vessel and referred to as cauterization, to stop the bleeding.
3. Pack your child’s nose with a special gauze dressing.
4. For severe nosebleeds, your child may need to have a blood test to check how much blood they have lost. They may also be referred to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist.
5. If your child’s nose has been packed, the gauze will need to remain in place for 24-48 hours. You will need to bring your child back to the emergency department for a check up and to have the gauze removed. The doctor may have prescribed antibiotics for your child to prevent a bacterial infection while the packing is in the nose.
6. Do not try to remove the packing yourself. If it falls out on its own and the bleeding doesn’t return there is no need to bring your child back to the emergency department.
7. If nasal packing is not needed then your doctor may advise you to apply an antibiotic ointment to the inside of your child’s nose up to four times a day for a week or so to clear any mild infection that may be present.
8. If your child’s nose is dry and cracked, you may be advised to apply some petroleum based gel or ointment (such as Vaseline) to the nostrils, generally twice each day for a week.  This can be done by using a cotton tip and gently rubbing it on the inside of the nose (do not use this method in children under four years of age as they are unlikely to cooperate or sit still and this method may cause injury).

Care at home :-

• Rest your child for the next 12 -24 hours (quiet activities such as drawing, reading a book or watching television are advised). 
• Avoid giving your child hot drinks or food or a hot bath/shower for at least 24 hours after a nosebleed.
• Tell your child not pick or blow their nose for 24 hours afterwards (a week if they have had their nose cauterized).
• If your child is suffering from constipation, increase their fluid intake (such as water or prune juice) and the amount of fibre in their diet (such as fresh or stewed fruit and wholemeal breads/cereals) or ask your doctor or pharmacist for a stool softener to prevent them from straining.
• Sometimes a lubricating ointment or nasal spray may help. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Follow these instructions :-

• Sit your child upright in a comfortable position, and lean slightly forward.
• Squeeze the lower, soft part of the front of the nose pressing the nostrils together with your fingers, a tissue or a cloth (your child can do this if they are older) for 10 minutes.
• Applying an icepack or cool, wet cloth to the bridge of your child’s nose may also be helpful.
• Offer your child an icypole or cold drink, this will cool them down and get rid of the ‘yucky’ taste of blood.
• Encourage your child to spit out any blood that has dripped from their nose into their mouth. Swallowed blood may make your child vomit and cause the nosebleed to continue or worsen.

How to Stop Nose Bleeding?

The accompanying thoughts toward self-care measures are suggested:-

1. Have the individual enduring the nosebleed sit upright and incline forward. He/she ought to inhale out of his/her mouth.
2. If there is any coagulation in the nostril, have the individual tenderly blow them out.
3. Firmly squeeze the delicate piece of the nose, and spot a chilly pack on the extension of the nose. This must be done constantly for 15 minutes. Try not to discharge the weight on the nose.
4. If the individual’s nose is as yet bleeding, rehash the above steps once again.

Position your body :-

If you do not have a serious issue that led to your nose bleed, you can perform some first aid at home during a nose bleed to help stop it. To begin, sit down, since it is more comfortable than standing. Tilt head forward so that the blood drains through the nostrils.

• A towel can be held under your nose to collect the blood.
• Do not lie down as this can cause blood to pass down the throat.

Compress the nose :-

With a finger and thumb, pinch the lower fleshy end of the nose, completely blocking the nostrils. Pinching at this point directly applies pressure at the region where the blood vessels are damaged. This makes the move more effective since it will help stop the flow of blood. Keep pinching the nose for 10 minutes, then release.

• If bleeding continues, reapply pressure for another 10 minutes.
• While you do this, breathe through the mouth.

Cool yourself down :-

Lowering your body temperature can help reduce the blood flow to your nose. To do this, place ice cubes in your mouth. This helps achieve a lower temperature sooner than cooling the external part of the nose. It also will help you retain the lower temperature for longer.

• This is more effective than placing a cold compress over the nose. Cold compresses placed over the nose are not very effective according to a recent clinical study.
• You can also suck on a popsicle to achieve the same result.

Use oxymetazoline nasal sprays :-

While you have a nose bleed but not on a regular basis, you can try a medicated nose spray if you do not have high blood pressure issues. This medication causes constriction of the blood vessels in your nose. To use, take a small clean cotton ball or gauze piece, add 1-2 drops of the spray to it, insert them into the nostrils, continue pinching the nostrils, and check for bleeding after 10 minutes.

• If bleeding has stopped, do not remove the cotton or gauze for about an hour, because bleeding can reoccur.
• Frequent use of this drug, which is more than 3-4 days at a time, can cause addiction and nasal congestion.
• These sprays are used only if bleeding does not stop on pinching the nose after the first 10 minutes.

Wash your nose and rest :-

After bleeding has stopped, you can clean the area around your nose with warm water. After you have cleaned your face, you should rest for a while. This is to help to prevent further bleeding.

• You can lie down while resting.