NOSEBLEEDS

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DEFINITION -- Nosebleeds are common in young adults, beginning just inside the nose.  Most often they are a nuisance and not a true medical problem.

SELF TREATMENT

  1. Sit or stand up.  By remaining upright, you reduce the blood pressure in your nose.
  2. Apply pressure. Pinch your nose with your thumb and index finger while you breathe through your mouth.  Squeeze together the soft portion of your nose, located between the end of the nose and the hard, bony ridge.  Continue to apply pressure for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Don't apply ice. This is of no benefit.
  4. To prevent rebleeding, do not blow your nose for several hours after bleeding has stopped.
  5. If rebleeding occurs, spray both sides of your nose with a decongestant nasal spray such as Afrin, Dristan or Neosynephrine.  Do not use these products more than 3 days.
  6. Increase humidity in your room. A vaporizer or humidifier can help keep your nasal membranes moist.  Lubricating your nose with Vaseline also helps.

CONTACT STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES IF

  1. The bleeding continues for more than 15-30 minutes
  2. You feel faint or weak from blood loss
  3. The bleeding is rapid
  4. The amount of blood loss is great
  5. Bleeding begins by trickling down the back of your throat