FIRST AID TIPS: Nosebleeds Introduction Bleeding from the nose most commonly occurs when tiny blood vessels inside the nostrils are ruptured, either by a blow to the nose, or as a result of sneezing, picking or blowing the nose. Nosebleeds may also occur as a result of high blood pressure. A nosebleed can be dangerous if the casualty loses a lot of blood. In addition, if bleeding follows a head injury, the blood may appear thin and watery. The latter is a very serious sign because it indicates that the skull is fractured and fluid is leaking from around the brain. Your aims • to control blood loss • to maintain an open airway. Treatment • Ask the casualty to sit down • Advise them to tilt their head forwards to allow the blood to drain from the nostrils • Ask the casualty to breathe through their mouth (this will also have a calming effect) and to pinch the soft part of the nose • Reassure and help if necessary • Tell the casualty to keep pinching their nose • Advise them not to speak, swallow, cough, spit or sniff because this may disturb blood clots that may have formed in the nose • After 10 minutes, tell the casualty to release the pressure. If the bleeding has not stopped, tell them to reapply the pressure for two further periods of 10 minutes • Once the bleeding has stopped and with the casualty still leaning forwards, clean around their nose with lukewarm water • Advise the casualty to rest quietly for a few hours. Tell them to avoid exertion and in particular, not to blow their nose, because these actions will disturb any clots. Caution • Do not let the head tip back; blood may run down the throat inducing vomiting • If bleeding stops and then restarts, tell the casualty to reapply pressure • If the nosebleed is severe, or if it lasts longer than 30 minutes in total, take or send the casualty to hospital in the treatment position.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 08:43:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015