A nosebleed occurs when small blood vessels inside the nose, called capillaries, break. This can occur from trauma to the nose or drying of the nasal tissues. Though a nosebleed can be scary, they are not usually serious and can often be remedied at home. However, nosebleed complications can occur in the elderly, in those using blood-thinning medications, or in people with bleeding disorders. A nosebleed that is difficult to control, or recurs frequently, may require medical treatment.
Positioning
Correctly positioning a person having a nosebleed can help control bleeding and prevent uncomfortable effects from the nosebleed. A person with a nosebleed should sit on the edge of a chair and lean forward. Allowing the head to be higher than the heart prevents blood from running down the back of the throat and into the stomach, which can cause nausea and vomiting. Ensuring the nosebleed victim is in a safe location is a priority, as she may become dizzy, or tip out of the sitting position.
Family doctor.org advises that nasal pressure should be used in tandem with forward positioning. Using the thumb and index finger, the nosebleed victim can apply gentle pressure to the bridge of his nose, gently squeezing the soft areas of the nose together. This method of direct pressure allows the nasal capillaries to clot and cease bleeding. Pressure and positioning should be applied for five minutes at a time, before the nose is checked. If bleeding continues, pressure is applied for an additional 10 minutes. If bleeding persists after 30 minutes, a physician should be consulted to examine for nosebleed complications.
Cold Therapy
Direct cold application to the bleeding nostril can assist in reducing blood flow and increasing clotting time. Crushed ice inside a plastic bag can be applied directly over the nose, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Ice can also be applied to the cheek on the same side as the bleeding nostril to help reduce blood flow. Cold therapy can be applied at the same time as nasal pressure and positioning to increase the chance of effective bleeding control.
Nasal Packing
Nosebleeds, which begin in the back of the nasal cavity, called a posterior nosebleed, can be difficult to remedy and may require aggressive treatment. Nasal packing can be performed in a medical office to treat severe nosebleeds. This includes inserting absorbent material, called packing, into the nostrils. The packing is usually a sterile, continuous length of gauze coated with petroleum jelly. A small length of gauze is left outside of the nostril and taped to the nose or cheek to assist removal of the packing. The pressure provided by the packing allows broken nasal capillaries to clot, thus stopping the nosebleed. Nasal packing is removed once a physician is confident the nosebleed has stopped.
