This Is What To Do When You Have A Nosebleed

This has probably happened to you: an acquaintance who has a nosebleed or you have one yourself. Why do you have a nosebleed? What causes a nosebleed? We will explain it below.

Why do you have a nosebleed?

Don’t worry, usually the reason for a nosebleed is not very serious. It is quite common in adults, but also in children. Your nose has a lot of small blood vessels, which can rupture due to changes in temperature or colds, for example.

The air passing through your nose can dry out or irritate the membranes that line the inside, causing scabs, which can also rupture and cause a nosebleed.

Since temperature is a major factor in causing these cracks, nosebleeds are more common in winter.

The majority of these nosebleeds occur in the anterior part of the nasal septum. They rarely originate deeper in your nose. While it’s true that the latter is harder to control, you still don’t have to worry. None of them can suffer to death. These are the main causes:

• Irritation from allergies or colds
• Very cold or dry air
• Blowing your nose very hard or picking your nose
• Any lesion or even having a deviated septum
• Chemical products
• High bloodpressure
• In extreme cases: possible tumors

What should I do if I have a nosebleed?

The first thing to do when you or someone else has a nosebleed is to stay calm, especially with children. Calm them down and tell them it’s okay and it will be over soon. You should remember the guidelines below.

What should you do?

• The first thing to do is sit down and tilt your head forward. Why? Because this way you avoid swallowing blood. Breathe through your mouth.
• Then gently pinch your nose, not the septum, but the soft part between your thumb and index finger (so that the nasal passages are closed). After two minutes, release and squeeze again to see if the bleeding has stopped. Breathe through your mouth.

• Remember to tilt your head to avoid swallowing blood.
• Check every five minutes to see if your nose is still bleeding.

What to do if it doesn’t stop after 5 minutes

• If it doesn’t stop, apply a cold compress or a small amount of ice on your nasal bone for a few seconds to stop the bleeding.
• Some people cover their nose with a gauze, which is fine, but it’s important not to cover your entire nose. Apply a small piece of gauze to avoid covering your nasal passages.

Is it better to lie down or sit?

Another thing to remember is that it is recommended not to lie down when you have a nosebleed. Sometimes you make mistakes and many people leave people who have nosebleeds on the floor or on a couch.

This is not a good thing to do as you may swallow blood. The best way is to lean your head over so that the blood flows from below and doesn’t cover it.

• Another tip: don’t breathe through your nose or blow your nose for the first few hours after the nosebleed. This can cause your nose to start bleeding again.
• If you notice that your nosebleed is not stopping, you should see a doctor so they can control the bleeding. It is normal to use nasal decongestant spray to close the small blood vessels and control bleeding.

When should you contact a medical professional?

You should go to a medical center in the following cases:

• The nosebleed does not stop after 20 minutes.
• You get a nosebleed after being hit on the head. This could mean a serious head injury.
• If you get a blow to the nose and in addition to bleeding it is deformed. Then it is possible that your nasal septum is broken, which is very painful.

You should also remember the following:

• Do you often have a nosebleed, once or several times a week, and this is not due to a cold or changes in temperature? If so, please contact your doctor.