Page 85 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS 83

Nosebleed

Nosebleeds are common in children, but some adults have them
occasionally, too. Common causes include nose picking and WARNING
forceful nose blowing, but nosebleeds often occur for no obvious Seek immediate medical help if:
reason. Your nose is more likely to bleed if its delicate lining is ● Bleeding is very severe
● You have hit your head or neck
irritated because of a cold or an allergy, or if it becomes dry and ● You are vomiting swallowed blood
cracked due to a dry atmosphere. Although most nosebleeds are ● You are taking aspirin or any
little more than a temporary nuisance, bleeding is sometimes a blood-thinning medication
symptom of an underlying illness.

What you can do yourself
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Nosebleeds may look alarming but can usually be
stopped fairly easily and prevented from restarting. Stopping a nosebleed These steps
In older people, a nosebleed can be more difficult should stop a nosebleed within 5–10 minutes.
to control. Try the following measures. ● Lean forward slightly. If you are feeling faint,
sit down and lean forward.
Controlling a nosebleed ● Firmly pinch the soft part
● Stay calm. If you are helping someone else with of your nose for 5–10
a nosebleed, be reassuring. minutes. Breathe through
your mouth.
● Take steps to stop the bleeding (see PRACTICAL
● If bleeding persists after
TECHNIQUE, right). 10 minutes, pinch for
● Don’t push tissues or cotton balls into your another 5–10 minutes.
If this does not work,
nostrils to try to stop the bleeding.
seek immediate
Once bleeding has stopped medical help.
● Try not to blow your nose for 24 hours afterward.
Pinching your nose
Make sure that you don’t pick your nose. Pinch the soft part just
below the bridge.
● If you feel the need to sneeze, do so with your
mouth open.
● Avoid drinking hot liquids or alcohol, or smoking.
DRUG REMEDIES
● Sleep with your head raised on 2 or 3 pillows.
● Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 hours after Saline nose drops (see p.188) are
a nosebleed has occurred. available from your pharmacist and are safe to use
on children. If the lining of your nose is dry, use them
● In dry, heated rooms, use a humidifier or place a
several times a day.
bowl of water close to a radiator.
● If you are prone to nosebleeds because your
nose tends to be dry and crusted inside, rub
petroleum jelly inside your nostrils a few times a Seek medical advice
day to soften and protect the delicate membrane
that lines the nose. Alternatively, use saline nose Arrange to see your doctor if:
drops to keep the nasal membrane moist (see DRUG ● You are getting recurrent nosebleeds
REMEDIES, right). ● You are feeling generally unwell
● You are bruising easily