NOSEBLEEDS
Authored by Jaclyn Sylvia, PA-C

In the United States, one of every seven persons develop a nosebleed at some point during their lifetime. Nosebleeds do not exclude any age group, but are most commonly found in children aged 2 to 10 as well as adults aged 50 to 80 years. As inconvenient as nosebleeds may be, ninety percent of nosebleeds are able to be easily controlled without significant invasive procedures. Nosebleeds are classified on the basis of the primary bleeding site. The most common area that bleeds is the inside front portion of the nose. Most cases of nosebleeds do not have one easily identifiable cause; however, local trauma is one of the most common. Another very common cause of nosebleeds is excessive dryness in the nose, which is often seen in the winter months. Dry heated indoor air, topical nasal sprays, cigarette smoking, chronic oxygen use, or antihistamines contribute to nasal dryness. Therefore, if frequent nosebleeds are a problem, it is important to focus on hydrating the nasal tissue.

There are things that can be done at home to keep the lining of the nose moist with the use of a product three times a day:

- Saline spray
- Saline gel such as AYR
- Bacitracin ointment or A+D ointment
- Aquaphor

If you develop a nose bleed, here are some tips to prevent future bleeding:

- Limit physical activities such as bending, lifting or stooping
- Sneeze within the mouth open
- Avoid blowing the nose for roughly 24 hours and continue with gentle blowing after
- Quit smoking or, at the very least, cut down on the amount of cigarettes consumed

If re-bleeding occurs, there are some at home tips that may help to slow, if not stop, the bleeding:

- Immediately squeeze the soft part of the nostrils firmly together for five minutes (make sure the head is bent forward so that you do not swallow the blood)
- Should bleeding continue, blow the nose to remove any coagulated blood
- Follow by spraying a decongestant spray such as Afrin nasal spray in the nose four times on each side
- Repeat these steps if needed
- After thirty minutes, if the bleeding persists, the patient should be evaluated by a medical provider

At Coastal Ear, Nose and Throat we have professionally trained otolaryngologists and a physician assistant to address your nasal concerns. Please feel free to come visit us.