Nose Bleeds
What is a nose bleed?
Nose bleeds are a very common problem, and result from the small blood vessels inside the nose bursting. A nose bleed can be dangerous if the casualty loses a lot of blood. If a casualty has a nose bleed after getting a blow to the head, this may indicate a head injury. If the blood is watery, a skull fracture should be suspected (see Unit 18).
What can cause a nose bleed?
- picking or scratching the inside of the nose
- a direct blow to the nose
- sneezing or blowing the nose too hard.
There are some medical conditions that will cause nose bleeds. There may be different causes of nose bleeds, but the treatment is the same.
Your aims:
Control bleeding.
Maintain (keep) an
open airway.
Your actions
- As always, assess D R A B, respond as needed, and treat any more urgent injuries
- Sit the casualty down with the head tipped forward to allow the blood to drain from the nostrils. DO NOT let the casualty tip his or her head back – blood will drain into the throat and may cause vomiting.
- Ask the casualty to breathe through the mouth and to pinch the nose just below the bridge (if the casualty is a small child, you will have to pinch the nose for him or her).
- Reassure if necessary.
- Ask the casualty not to blow, sniff, cough, spit or speak, as this may disturb any clots (when the blood starts sticking together) that have formed. Clean away any blood.
- The casualty can release the nose after 10 minutes. If it is still bleeding, he or she should pinch the nose for another ten minutes.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, and with the casualty still leaning forward, gently clean around the area with lukewarm water.
- Advise the casualty to rest for a few hours to prevent the clot being disturbed, and to avoid 1 blowing the nose or picking at any clots.
- If a nose bleed is very severe, or if it lasts for more than thirty minutes, then the casualty must
receive medical help. Try to arrange medical help.
Words you need to know
- Bridge
- top part of nose, where it is the thinnest
