Nasal Disease Handbook

Bloody Noses

Bleeding from the nose is a common problem. If you hit your nose accidently or someone else hits it not so accidently, it may bleed. Generally, this can be stopped by placing a gauze in front of your nose to catch the blood and then pinching the nostrils together. Some like to apply pressure over the upper lip at the base of the nose. Others like to apply ice to the forehead. Mother Nature controls bleeding, but it invariably take 3-6 minutes. Whether these ancillary procedures help or just make you feel better that you are doing something is a matter of speculation. If the bleeding persists for more than 5 minutes or if it is truly profuse it is best to go to a medical facility where specialized equipment and personnel are available.

This section focuses mostly on the recurrent nosebleed; the one that starts bleeding in the middle of the night or the middle of the day -- the nose that bleeds every day, every other day, every week or every other week or it always bleeds when you least expect it. Typically, this bleeding comes from the anterior portion of the septum and stems from dilated blood vessels. The dilated vessels bleed, they then crust and every time the crust falls off, the vessel bleeds again, crusts, bleeds, crusts, bleeds, and on and on.

Aspirin, blood thinning agents and non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as AdvilR and MotrinR decrease your bodies ability to control bleeding, and if you are taking these medicines you should either decrease them, discontinue them or consult with your primary care physician.

Most anterior nosebleeds emanate from a crusted, dilated vessell in the anterior portion of the nose.  There are many proposed therapies for this.  The one I have found most effective is to apply vaseline to the nose on a regular basis.  A small portion of vaseline, approximately the same amount as the amount of toothpaste one places on a toothbrush, is placed on the pinky finger.  This is placed inside the nostril, on both the right and left side.  Next, the pinky finger should be placed inside the nostril and turned 180 degrees first clockwise, then counterclockwise, so that the vaseline is spread or smeared along the nasal septum, the roof and the lateral wall.  This should not be done with anything other than the pinky finger, not a pencil, q-tip, bobby pin or other tool.  It is very important to use the pinky finger as it is gentle and soft.  In most cases, performing this procedure twice daily on a regular basis will prevent future nosebleeds.  During times of recurrent bleeding or during periods in which one is exposed to very dry air, this can be repeated as often as three or four times per day. 

If the above is not effective, you should appoint with a Head and Neck Surgeon to examine the nose, diagnose and then treat the underlying problem.