How to Remove Nose Packing

Nose packing is a sterile gauze, foam or cotton used to control bleeding after an injury to the nose or to provide support to the septum after nasal reconstruction or other surgery. Sometimes, nose packing is used as treatment for chronic nosebleeds. Nose packing materials are smooth so they won't stick to nasal tissue and are often connected by a stitch. Removing nose packing requires a few steps, but is generally a simple procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Saline solution
• Syringe
• Tray
• Forceps
• Stitch cutter
• Gauze

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Instructions

• 1

  Soften the nose packing by applying saline solution with your syringe. Apply several times, until the nose packing is saturated.

• 2

  Cut the stitch that connects the nose packing materials, using stitch cutters or scissors.

• 3

  Reach into one nostril with your forceps and firmly grab hold of the nose packing. Gently pull it straight out, being careful not to touch the inside of the nose with the forceps. Repeat on the other side.

• 4

  Dab the nose area with gauze to remove any blood or other fluids.