Overview
Nosebleeds can be frightening when they happen. However, in most cases, they are not a sign that there is something more serious going on. In most cases, nosebleeds can last ten minutes or longer and can be heavy or light during this time. In addition, blood can flow from only one or both nostrils. The good news is that you can treat a nosebleed at home.
What to Do
To stop the nosebleed, you need to:
- Sit down and pinch the soft part of your nose, just above the nostrils for around fifteen minutes.
- Lean forward and breathe through your mouth, this is going to allow the blood to drain from the nose instead of going down the throat.
- Place an ice pack on the bridge of your nose.
- Do not lie down, stay upright to reduce the blood pressure in the nose, which can help discourage more bleeding.
Once the bleeding stops, you usually do not need to get medical attention. However, you may need to seek medical attention in certain cases.
When to Seek Medical Attention
You need to contact medical attention if:
- You are on a blood thinner and you cannot get the blood to stop
- You have symptoms of anaemia
- If the nosebleed belongs to someone under the age of two
- You are regularly having nosebleeds
You should seek emergency medical treatment is:
- The nosebleed lasts longer than 20 minutes
- You have lost a lot of blood due to heavy bleeding
- You have trouble breathing
- You are swallowing blood which is making you vomit
- You have the nosebleed after a serious injury
The Causes of Nosebleeds
Inside the nose is delicate blood vessels. When these are irritated, they can easily result in a bloody nose. Some of the common reasons a nosebleed occurs include:
- Blowing your nose hard
- Picking your nose
- Minor injuries
- Changes in the humidity, causing the nose to become dry
In some cases, the bleeding is occurring due to the blood vessels within the nose that are deeper. This can be cause due to a blow to the head, recent surgery on the nose or hardened arteries.
Who Gets a Nosebleed?
These are fairly common and they can happen to just about anyone. Most often, nosebleeds are going to affect:
- Children who are between the ages of two and ten
- Those who are elderly
- Those who take aspirin and anticoagulants on a regular basis
- Those who have blood clotting disorders
- Speak to a GP if the bleeding doesn’t stop, there is a vast volume of blood lost, or you feel shaky or dizzy.
Related Video On Nosebleeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPpA9TbCQEY