Nosebleed: Causes, First aid and Warning signs

1. Stop tilting your head back

Doing this will let the blood run down your throat rather than stopping the bleeding. Swallowing blood can make you feel sick, cause you to cough or be sick.

Instead:

• Sit up and lean forwards.
• Breathe through your mouth.
• Spit any blood out of your mouth.
• Do NOT lie down or tilt your head back.

2. Stop checking too soon

Continuously checking if your nose has stopped bleeding can cause the blood clot to be disturbed.

Instead:

• Sit up and lean forward.
• Press the fleshy part of your nose just above your nostrils.
• Apply constant pressure for 10-15 mins.
• Use a timer so you know how long you have been applying pressure.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 mins of firm pressure then get urgent medical help.

3. Stop stuffing your nose

Tissues can absorb the drops of blood but if inserted too far up your nose they can cause irritation. This can cause the nosebleed to start again if the blood clot is disturbed when removing the tissues or cotton wool.

Instead:

• Place a tissue outside the nose.
• Apply pressure to the soft part of your nose.
• Do not insert anything into your nostrils.
• Leave the clot to settle once the bleeding has stopped.

4. What causes Nosebleeds?

Inside your nose there are fragile capillaries (blood vessels) that can bleed if they are irritated or injured.

Common causes of nosebleeds:

• Dry air irritating the inside of the nose
• Picking or rubbing the nose
• Blowing your nose hard
• Colds, allergies or frequent sneezing
• Injuries to the nose
• Some medications such as anticoagulants (blood thinners)

Occasionally having a nosebleed is not usually a cause for concern. If you have regular nosebleeds that do not seem to have an obvious cause then you should see a doctor.

5. What to avoid after a Nosebleed

After bleeding has stopped, there is usually some settling time required before resuming strenuous activity to prevent re-bleeding.

Avoid for next 24 hours:

• Blowing your nose.
• Lifting heavy objects and doing strenuous exercise.
• Taking hot showers and very hot drinks straight after your nose bleeds.
• Removing any clots that you can see.

If you tend to get recurrent nose bleeds due to dryness, using a nasal saline spray and/or a nasal lubricating gel may help. Using a humidifier will also help if the air inside is dry.

6. Ignoring warning signs

Most nose bleeds are minor. However, you should seek urgent medical assistance if:

• There is a lot of blood loss or the bleeding does not stop after pressing firmly on the nose for 15-20 minutes.
• Having trouble breathing.
• Feeling dizzy, weak or fainting.
• The nose bleed was caused by a severe head or facial injury.
• Swallowed a large quantity of blood and became sick.
• You are on anticoagulant medication and the bleeding is difficult to control.

If you have a known bleeding disorder, you should seek medical advice if the bleeding is difficult to control.

7. Why do Nosebleeds keep coming back?

Sometimes frequent nosebleeds can be an indicator of more than dry air. They could be caused by irritation in the nasal area, allergies, medication or an underlying medical issue.

If you are experiencing recurring nosebleeds, unexplained nosebleeds or other unusual bleeds then book an appointment with your doctor.

Need help? Jivika can guide

If you know what to do, it can be easier to deal with, however, sometimes you can feel unsure if the bleeding doesn’t stop or other symptoms occur.

YourDoc’s AI healthcare assistant Jivika can help you understand your symptoms, ask the right questions and direct you to the right medical treatment. If you need a doctor's assessment, you may opt for face to face consulting with a verified doctor on YourDoc who can help you figure out what to do next.

Remember: Lean forward, pinch the soft part of your nose continuously and don’t move the clot. Seek medical attention straight away if it is heavy bleeding or doesn’t stop.