Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are defined as "an attack of bleeding from the nose!" While they are usually nothing to worry too much about, they sometimes can be more serious. So how do you know when they are more serious?

There are two types of nose bleeds:

• Anterior Nosebleeds: When the blood comes mostly from the front of the nose and out of one or both nostrils when the person is in an upright position
  
  
• Posterior Nosebleeds: When the blood is coming from somewhere further back in the nose and runs down into the back of the mouth — even when the person is sitting or standing upright

Nosebleeds can be caused by things such as:

• Injury to the nose or face
• Dry air that causes drying and cracking of the membranes (usually in the winter)
• High blood pressure

Treatment and prevention

If you have any doubt that it is an anterior nosebleed, you should see a doctor. If the nosebleeds persist, you should also see a doctor because it may be necessary to cauterize the problem blood vessel.

Call a doctor or go to an emergency room when:

• You know the blood is going down the back of the throat — meaning it's a posterior nosebleed
  
  
• If there is a large amount of blood and you can't get it to stop — or if it continues to start bleeding again
  
  
• If you feel weak or faint from blood loss

Stopping an anterior nosebleed

To stop an anterior nosebleed, pinch your nostrils together using your thumb and forefinger while pressing back toward your face. Hold that for five minutes while sitting up (head elevated above the heart). You can also apply ice to the nose and cheeks once the bleeding has stopped.

To help prevent it from starting to bleed again, don't blow your nose, don't pick up anything heavy (strain), and keep your head above your heart.

If it starts to bleed again anyway you should call your doctor. In the meantime, try to clear the blood from the nose by sniffing, spray a decongestant nasal spray four times into each nostril, and pinch the nostrils together again for five minutes as you did before.

Prevention

Sometimes dry air can cause the membranes inside the nose to crack and bleed. To help lubricate these tissues and prevent them from cracking, you can apply a small amount of A and D Ointment^®, Mentholatum^®, Vicks Vaporub^®, or Vaseline to the inside of your nose with the tip of your finger. This can be done at bedtime or up to three times per day.

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