What Are the Treatments for Nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds can occur for a variety of reasons. If nasal membranes become dry due to hot climate or hot air, the nasal membranes can dry out and result in nose bleeding. In children, nosebleeds can be the result of nose picking. Sometimes with adults, nosebleeds can occur as a result of frequent nose blowing or due to a sustained injury. Other causes for nosebleeds include allergies, sinusitis, colds, a deviated septum or certain medical conditions. There are many treatments to stop a nosebleed, but if a nosebleed will not stop, you will need medical attention to stop the bleeding.

First-Aid Care

• At the onset of a nosebleed, sit up and lean forward. According to the Mayo Clinic, when you sit upright, the blood pressure in the veins of your nose is reduced. Bleeding can then be reduced. Sitting forward helps to prevent blood from being swallowed and making you nauseous. To stop the flow of blood, pinch your nostrils closed and breathe through your mouth. By pinching the nostrils, you will be able to apply pressure to the bleeding point. As a result, the bleeding should stop.

Preventing Re-Bleeding

• After you have stopped your nosebleed, do not pick or blow your nose for many hours. Don't bend down either after stopping the bleeding. You should keep your head at a higher level than your heart. In other words, don't lay down, and keep your head elevated. If your nose should start bleeding again, forcefully blow your nose. This will clear out blood clots. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should then spray a decongestant nasal spray such as Afrin up your nostrils. Once you have done this, pinch your nose closed and seek medical attention.

If Bleeding Continues

• If your nosebleed doesn't stop after 20 minutes, it is time to see a doctor. Your doctor will conduct an examination to discover the exact cause of bleeding. Cauterization may then be done to force a blood clot to form. According to the Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University, cauterization is either done with silver nitrate or with an electrocautery instrument.

Nasal Packing

• Nose packing is done if cauterization fails. Anesthetics are used to numb the site prior to packing. Materials such as petroleum jelled gauze may be placed within the nostrils. Rolled gauze or inflatable balloons may also be used. You will also receive antibiotics to prevent an infection from occurring. Once your nose has been packed, never remove the packaging. According to the Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, removing or handling your nasal packaging can be fatal.

Surgery

• When all options have failed, the last resort will be surgery. Surgical procedures include endoscopic examination, septoplasty or arterial ligation. An endoscopic exam uses cauterization to stop bleeding sites. If you have spurs (tiny bone growths), they'll be removed and packaging will be replaced. A septoplasty is performed if you have a deviated septum so that the deviated septum will be straightened. With arterial ligation, blood vessels are constricted in order to stop blood flow. Arteries will then either be cauterized or clipped.