First-aid for nose bleeding

Ice packs, nose pinching and lying flat are few things you need to do to stop nasal bleeding.

We all are aware of what to do if we have an injury or at least have an idea about first aid for burns. But do you know what to do if you have nasal bleeding? Scary, isn't it? Nasal bleeding can happen following a physical injury or due to an allergic reaction . And in extreme cases, a sudden surge in your blood pressure can also cause bleeding from the nose. So if you see a person having a nasal bleed or experience one, here are first-aid tips you need to follow, says our expert Dr Ravindra Ingale, Consultant Physician, Wockhardt hospital and Chaitanya Clinic, Vashi.

1. Firstly, do not get scared by the sudden nasal bleeding. If you are standing, then sit and hold a cloth near the nostril. Do not try to stop the bleed by rubbing the nose.

2. Secondly, as you sit, pinch your nose using your thumb and index finger just above the nostrils. Hold your nose for around 5 - 7 minutes, which is average clotting time for any person. Also, pinching the nose puts pressure on the blood vessels present at the bleeding point and hence, help stop the flow of blood.

3. Thirdly, put an ice pack on the bridge of the nose as it helps to constrict the blood vessels and stop bleeding. In some cases, your doctor can also advise nasal packs, which are to be put inside the nostril, if bleeding fails to stop.

4. Lastly, while you do so, make sure you lie flat on a bed. This means there is no need to keep your head high or your legs on a pillow, just lie flat as it helps to ease the pressure around the nose. Most people believe that one has to sit up straight and lean forward slightly or bend the head back to stop nose bleeding, but it's still a controversy as to what is the right posture. Hence, lying flat with your head and legs at the same level is the best thing to do in such a case.

Even if the bleeding stops after following the first-aid measure, do consult your doctor to know the cause of it and treat the underlying the cause of it. This is because nasal bleeding can be due to sudden high blood pressure, allergies, infections, dry weather or medications. Also, if the bleeding fails to stop even after 10 -15 minutes or continues for around 30 minutes, it is a sign of medicals emergency, please visit a doctor immediately.

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