The inner lining of the nose is filled with fragile blood vessels, making a nosebleed a bothersome reality for many people. Medically known as epistaxis, a nosebleed may occur for many reasons: injury, blood clotting disorders, nose picking, nasal dryness, prescription drug use, illicit drug snorting or strong nose blowing. Cures for a bloody nose vary. Bleeds occurring close to the end of the nose are usually easy to control, while those that originate deeper in the nose may be difficult to stop.
First Aid Treatments
Many nosebleeds can be cured by bending slightly forward from a seated position as you squeeze the soft portion of your nose between your index finger and thumb. Hold for 5 minutes and check to see if bleeding has stopped. Try this two more times; if bleeding hasn't stopped, seek medical care. If pain is involved or if bleeding is severe, seek emergency medical care instead of attempting to treat the nosebleed yourself.
Physician-performed Treatments
The physician has many options for treating a nosebleed, depending on its cause, the location in the nose and your health status. If you have a foreign body in your nose, it will be carefully removed. If your nose is broken, it will be repaired. Your nose may be packed with gauze or a special balloon that is inflated to put pressure on the blood vessel and halt the bleeding. Nasal packing is often left in place for three days.
Alternatively, the doctor may opt to use a liquid or spray medication that will constrict your blood vessels. She may use a powder that encourages blood platelets to clump together and halt the bleeding. The American Academy of Family Physicians explains that it is common practice for a physician to cauterize a bleeding vessel in the nose by numbing the area and then using electricity, heat or a chemical called silver nitrate. After getting the nosebleed stopped, she may direct you to put petroleum jelly in your nose for up to a week. You may be given an antibiotic to thwart off infection and any blood-thinning regimen you are on may be altered. You may be started on blood pressure medication if elevated pressure worsens your nosebleed. Some patients are referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist called an otolaryngologist.
Complex Treatments
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, some patients will require minor surgery to correct a nosebleed. This surgery involves specialized procedures on the responsible blood vessel. You may also need to be hospitalized and placed on oxygen for several days.
