Nosebleed

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Nosebleed

Nosebleed

Alternative Names:

Epistaxis
First Aid:

Sit down and gently squeeze the soft portion of the nose between your thumb and finger (so that the nostrils are closed) for about 5-10 minutes. Lean forward to avoid swallowing the blood and breathe through your mouth. Wait at least 5 minutes before checking if the bleeding has stopped. Almost all nose bleeds can be controlled in this way if sufficient time is allowed for the bleeding to stop.

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It may help to apply cold compresses or ice across the bridge of the nose. DO NOT pack the inside of the nose with gauze.

Do Not:

Lying down with a nose bleed is not recommended, and you should avoid sniffing or blowing your nose for several hours after a nosebleed.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Get emergency care if:

The bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes.
A nosebleed occurs after an injury to the head -- this may indicate a skull fracture. (X-rays should be taken no matter how trivial the blow seemed to be at the time.)
Your nose may be broken (for example, it is misshapen after a blow or injury).

Call your doctor for an appointment if you or your child has repeated nosebleeds, particularly if they are becoming more frequent and if they are not associated with a cold or other minor irritation.

Persistent nosebleeds may require urgent medical care such as packing, embolization, or surgery.

References:

Marx J. Rosen?s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002:933.

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:942-960.