Nosebleeds What causes nosebleeds? Nosebleeds happen when the lining of your nose is injured or gets dry. This damages the blood vessels in your nose. Nose picking is a common cause of nosebleeds. Irritation on the inside of your nose from allergies, infections, or the drying effects of heat or air can also cause nosebleeds. The nasal septum is the wall that divides your nose into left and right sides. Almost all nosebleeds come from blood vessels over the front part of the nasal septum. This area is more likely to get dry or be injured by nose blowing or rubbing. Blood vessels in the back of the nose bleed less often, than vessels in the front of the nose. Rarely, growths or other problems can cause nosebleeds.
How are they treated? The first thing you should try is pinching your nostril firmly closed.
Pinch here
Pinch here
Pinch the nostrils for at least 5 minutes, while you are sitting up and with your head tilted down. If the bleeding does not stop, pinch your nostrils again but this time for 20 minutes. This pinching will usually stop the bleeding. Place ice pack on forehead or have an ice cube in mouth.
What should I do if the bleeding does not stop? See your doctor if your nosebleed does not stop. Your doctor might use a chemical or an electric device to stop the bleeding.
The jelly or nasal spray is applied to the inside of your nostril on the septum.
This is called cautery. Your doctor might put special gauze or another material into your nose to apply pressure on the bleeding area. You might need to take an antibiotic to keep from getting an infection.
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You should not blow, rub, or pick your nose while it is healing. If you have allergies, Rarely, people with nosebleeds they should be treated to help keep nosebleeds from need surgery. During surgery, happening again. a clip or stitch is put on the bleeding blood vessel. Using a humidifier by your bed may sometimes help to prevent What care does my nose your nose from getting too dry need after treatment? at night. Using petroleum jelly (one possible brand: Vaseline), or Hotline : (65) 6555 8828 using a saltwater (saline) nasal Appointment Appointment Fax : (65) 6602 3777 spray, helps to keep your nose from getting dry and bleeding again.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, under the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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