WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NOSEBLEEDS
Nosebleeds,
although common, can be frightening to experience. Fortunately, most are easily
treated and require no medical intervention. Many people, however, incorrectly
treat nosebleeds, so the next time you or your child experiences one, consider
these tips for treatment and prevention.
The
first thing to know about nosebleeds is that there are two types - anterior and
posterior. Anterior nosebleeds account
for about 90% of all nosebleeds and come from the front of the nose, while
posterior nosebleeds originate from the deepest part of the nose and typically
affect older people, people with high blood pressure, or occur as a result of
trauma to the nose.
The
most common causes for anterior nosebleeds are dry air, uncontrolled allergies,
cold viruses, and frequent nose picking. A dry climate or heated indoor
environment can contribute to drying out mucus membranes, leaving crusts inside
the nose that itch and then bleed when picked.
If
nosebleeds occur on a frequent basis (more than once a week), it is recommended
that you see a doctor to either help with healing the irritated blood vessels
or test for other health factors contributing to the nosebleeds.
When
it comes to treating a nosebleed, old practices like lying back, pinching the
bridge of the nose, and applying ice, can actually make the nosebleed last
longer. Instead, it is recommended you do the following:
§
Sit upright and lean forward. When you lean back, blood travels down
your throat and can be swallowed, which can irritate the stomach or cause you
to choke or cough.
§
Squeeze the tip of the nose, just below the bony part. This will
pool the blood and help it clot.
§
Continue to squeeze for five to ten
minutes. Avoid
frequently checking on progress as this may delay the clotting process. If
after five or ten minutes, the nose continues to bleed, hold for another five
or ten minutes.
Once
the bleeding has stopped, don’t pick or blow your nose. This could remove the clot and halt the blood
vessels from healing.
While
this form of treatment should take care of the majority of nosebleeds, it is recommended
that you seek medical attention if a nosebleed lasts longer than 20 minutes or
if there has been trauma to the face or head.
To
prevent nosebleeds, it is recommended that using a humidifier in dryer months
and treating known allergies with medication and topical treatments, like a
moisturizing nose spray, nasal gel, or Vaseline. Though they can be alarming, nosebleeds are
easy to treat with the right methods and are rarely a cause for concern.
Preventive
medicine is just one aspect of care osteopathic physicians (DOs)
provide. DOs are fully licensed to prescribe medicine
and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery. DOs
are trained to consider the health of the whole person and use their hands to
help diagnose and treat their patients.
*The
contributing physician to this article was James E. Foy, DO, an AOA
board-certified pediatrician from