Nosebleed

What causes nosebleeds and are they serious?

• Dry air
• Colds and allergies
• Getting hit on the nose
• Medications like aspirin, blood thinner
• Living high above sea level like in the Rocky Mountains or being up high on a mountain
• Blowing your nose too hard
• Picking at the inside of your nose
• Diseases involving the blood

Nosebleeds usually are not very serious and can be stopped at home. If you are taking a blood thinner or you have problems with your blood clotting, it may be harder to stop the bleeding at home.

Home Treatment:

• Avoid dry air - keep air moist
• If your nose feels dry, try taking a shower. After your shower put some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) inside your nose.
• Saline nasal spray or drops can help reduce dryness in your nose.
• Try not to take aspirin very often unless your doctor tells you to.
• If you do have problems with nosebleeds, you should try not to drink alcohol, or hot drinks; stop smoking; do not put hot packs on your face
• If you have been treated for a nosebleed and the doctor put nasal packing (gauze up your nose) do not remove it.

If your nose starts to bleed again:

• Sit up straight and look down a little bit (tilt your head forward). If you put your head back, the blood may run down your throat.
• Gently blow all clots (clumps) of blood out of nose. You then need to pinch your nostrils (soft part of your nose) shut with your thumb and index finger for 10 minutes (watch your watch or a clock). NO PEEKING!

Home Treatment:

• After 10 min. you can let go and see if there is any more bleeding.
• Most nosebleeds will stop after 10 to 30 min. of constant pinching If your nose is still bleeding, pinch your nostrils closed for 10 more minutes.
• After the bleeding has stopped try not to blow your nose for at least 12 hours.
• Try to sit or lie quietly for a few hours.

Return to the Emergency Department IF:

• Your nose has not stopped bleeding after pinching your nostrils for 30 min.
• You feel blood running down the back of your throat even when your nose is pinched tightly.
• Your nose is deformed (crooked) after falling on your nose or getting hit in the nose.
• You get frequent nosebleeds.
• You are worried about how your nosebleed makes you feel

If you have frequent Nosebleeds:

• See your doctor.
• Buy a nose clip. These may be found at a drugstore.