First Aid For Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are a common first aid problem. The official medical name for a nosebleed is an "Epistaxis".

The nose has an abundant blood supply to help warm and moisten air as we breath in. This is an important function as it helps protect our respiratory system. However, this extensive blood supply makes our nose vulnerable.

There are countless causes for nosebleeds, some common ones include:
Trauma to the nose or facial areaHigh blood pressure (hypertension)Blood thinning medication (e.g: Warfarin)Foreign bodies such as fingersInflammation during an infection such as the common cold

Sometimes the cause of nosebleeds is unknown. Some people appear to be more prone to them than others.

First aid treatment for a nosebleed

Step 1: Ask the person to tilt their head forwards and pinch the soft part of their nose for ten minutes. Encourage them not to pick at their nose or sniff. Ask them to breath through their mouth.

Step 2: After 10 minutes release the pressure and see if the bleeding has stopped. If it hasn't, reapply the pressure. You can also try placing something cool on the nose (such as an ice pack etc.) to encourage the blood vessels to constrict.

Step 3: Once the bleeding has stopped, clean up any blood from around the face/mouth. Tell the person not to sneeze, pick at their nose or sniff for several hours as this could cause the bleeding to start again.

It can be very difficult to get a child to sit still and hold their nose for 10 minutes. In some cases you might have to hold their nose for them.

If the bleeding does not stop (after around 20 - 30 minutes), you should seek medical advice. In some cases, health care staff may have to 'pack' the nose with a dressing or cauterise the blood vessel responsible to stop the bleeding. These are simple procedures, but must be done by a health care professional.

In addition, if the cause of the nosebleed is unclear or they are recurring you should also seek advice.

A nosebleed after a serious head injury can be the sign of a more serious underlying problem, therefore urgent medical assistance should be sought.

A common misconception with nosebleeds is that you should tilt head backwards. This isn't recommended as blood will travel back down into your mouth and into your stomach which can make you feel sick.

Click Here And Weight Loss !!!