Sitting in science class one afternoon, you feel your nose begin
to run. As you wonder if you're catching a cold, you swipe your
nose with a tissue and are shocked to see blood! You have a
nosebleed, and if you're like most teens, you may be
embarrassed. You might hope no one will notice, and you might be a
little scared, too.
Although nosebleeds are usually harmless and easily controlled,
it may look like a gallon of blood is coming from your nose! Try
not to worry - nosebleeds are almost always easy to stop.
Stopping the Gush
Try these simple tips to stop your nosebleed:
- Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.
- Sit or stand so your head is above your heart.
- Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just
below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps
stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10
full minutes of steady pressure - don't keep checking to see
if the bleeding has stopped.
- Apply a cold compress, such as ice wrapped in a cloth or
paper towel, to the area around the nose. Applying pressure with
a cotton pad inside the upper lip may also help.
If you get a nosebleed, don't blow your nose. Doing so can
cause additional nosebleeds. Also, don't tilt your head back.
This common practice will cause blood to run into your throat. This
can make you cough or choke, and if you swallow a lot
of blood, you might throw up.
If you've tried the steps above twice and the bleeding
continues after 10 minutes, you'll need to see your school
nurse or a doctor.
Once you've stopped the initial nosebleed, don't lift
heavy objects or do other activities that cause you to strain, and
don't blow your nose for 24 hours. Also, keep your head
elevated above your heart as much as possible.
Now that your nosebleed is over, let's take a look at what a
nosebleed is and what can cause it.
Different Kinds of Nosebleeds
The most common kind of nosebleed is an
anterior nosebleed
, which comes from the front of the nose. Capillaries, or very
small blood vessels, that are inside the nose may break and bleed,
causing this type of nosebleed.
Another kind of nosebleed is a
posterior nosebleed
, which comes from the deepest part of the nose. Blood from a
posterior nosebleed flows down the back of the throat even if the
person is sitting or standing. Teens rarely have posterior
nosebleeds, which occur most often in older people, people who have
high blood pressure
, and people who have had nose or face injuries.
Causes and Remedies
The most common cause of anterior nosebleeds is dry air. A dry
climate or heated indoor air irritates and dries out nasal
membranes, causing crusts that may itch and then bleed when picked.
Colds
and other viruses may also irritate the lining of the nose.
Bleeding may occur after repeated blowing. When you combine a cold
with dry winter air, you have the perfect formula for
nosebleeds.
Allergies
may also cause problems, and a doctor may prescribe medications
such as antihistamines or decongestants to control an itchy, runny,
or stuffy nose. This can also dry out the nasal membranes and
contribute to nosebleeds.
An injury or blow to the nose may also cause bleeding and
isn't usually cause for alarm. If you ever have a facial
injury, use the tips outlined above to stop the nosebleed. If you
can't stop the bleeding after 10 minutes or you think your nose
is broken, see a medical professional right away.
A single nosebleed is rarely cause for alarm, but frequent
nosebleeds might indicate a more serious problem. If you get
nosebleeds more than once a week, you should see your doctor. Most
cases of frequent nosebleeds are easily treated. Sometimes blood
vessels inside the nose become irritated and don't heal. This
happens frequently in teens who have ongoing allergies or frequent
colds. A doctor may have a solution if you have this problem.
If your doctor rules out a sinus infection, allergies, or
irritated blood vessels, he or she may order other tests to see why
you're getting frequent nosebleeds. Rarely, a bleeding disorder
could be a possibility, although it's unlikely that a bleeding
disorder will first show up as a nosebleed.
Cocaine
(or other drugs that are snorted through the nose) can also cause
nosebleeds. If you suspect a friend is using cocaine, try talking
about it and get help from a trusted adult.
Preventing Nosebleeds
Whenever you blow your nose (especially when you have a cold),
you should blow gently into a soft tissue. Don't blow
forcefully or pick your nose.
Your doctor may recommend a humidifier to moisten your indoor
air. You can also prevent your nasal passages from becoming too dry
in winter months by using lubricants such as petroleum jelly (like
Vaseline) before going to bed at night. Apply a pea-sized dab to a
cotton swab and gently rub it up inside each nostril, especially on
the middle part of the nose (called the nasal septum). Some doctors
prescribe saline (salt water) drops for the same purpose.
Wear protective athletic equipment when participating in sports
that could cause injury to the nose.
An occasional nosebleed can be alarming, but there's no need
to panic - now you know what to do!
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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