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Bleeding, Wounds & Skin Injuries

Nosebleed

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Signs and symptoms

Many nosebleeds do not have an obvious cause, but some can be because of: 

  • a blow to the nose 
  • excessive blowing 
  • sneezing 
  • high blood pressure 
  • changes to altitude. 

 

Most nosebleeds will stop spontaneously or after simple treatment. Seek medical aid if the nosebleed persists or if the patient has frequent nosebleeds.

What to do

  1. Ask the patient to breathe through their mouth and not to blow their nose. Encourage the patient to spit out blood rather than swallow it. 
  2. Help the patient to sit down with their head slightly forward. 
  3. Pinch the soft part of the patient’s nostrils, just below the bridge of the nose, for at least 10 minutes. 
  4. Loosen any tight clothing around the patient’s neck. 
  5. If bleeding persists, seek medical aid. 

 

Placing a cold pack on the patient’s neck and forehead might help the bleed. A cold pack is unlikely to cause any harm.