Nosebleed

Bleeding from nose happens when tiny blood vessels inside the nostrils are rupture. This can happen as a result of a blow to the nose, sneezing, picking or blowing of nose. Nosebleeds may also occur as a result of high blood pressure.

Nosebleed can be dangerous when the casualty loses a lot of blood. If nosebleed is caused by head injury, the blood is usually watery and thin. The latter is a very serious sign as it indicated that the skull is fractured and fluid is leaking from around the brain.

Treatment

1. Ask the casualty to sit down and tilt her head forward to allow the blood to drain from the nostrils.

Picture courtesy of www.cprflorida.net

2. Ask the casualty to breath using her mouth as this can also bring a calming effect. Have the casualty to pinch the soft part of the nose. Reassure and help him if necessary.

3. Tell the casualty to keep pinching her nose. Advise her not to speak, swallow, cough, spit, or sniff because these actions may disturb blood clots that have formed in the nose.

4. After 10 minutes, tell the casualty to release the pressure. If the bleeding still continues, tell her to reapply the pressure for another two periods of 10 minutes.

5. Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the casualty's nose with lukewarm water while the casualty is still leaning forward.

6. Advise the casualty to rest quietly for a few hours. Tell her to avoid any nose blowing because this action could disturb clots inside the nose.

Note:

-If the nosebleed is severe, or if it lasts longer than 30 minutes in total, send the casualty to hospital in the treatment position.