James LaBagnara, MD, FACS, Vice President, Medical Affairs, St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, provides important information regarding effective treatments of nose bleeds and recommendations for prevention.

Nose bleeding is a fairly common condition in adults, but it is even more common in children. The bleeding point most often is on the nasal septum, only a half an inch or three quarters of an inch into the nostril. Most nasal bleeding is fairly minor and easily controlled at home by simply applying pressure to the nostril that’s bleeding. An even better method is to soak a piece of cotton with either Afrin or Neo-Synephrine, place the cotton ball in the bleeding nostril and pinch the nose closed for about 10 minutes. This will be effective in probably 98% of the cases. Serious nasal bleeding can occur in some medical conditions when there is a problem with coagulation or the person is taking anticoagulants. Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug and a serious anticoagulant and probably the most common drug to cause nose bleeds. After applying local pressure, a good second step is to stop the Aspirin and let your doctor know.

The following popular methods of controlling nose bleeds are completely ineffective:

Putting ice on the back of the neck
Putting a piece of a brown paper bag inside the lower lip
Putting the head down to let the blood out; keep your head erect
Letting the nose bleed continuously ‘to lower the pressure’
Squeezing the nasal bone on the bridge of the nose

Recurrent nasal bleeding in adults and children, whether taking Aspirin or not, require a visit to your ENT doctor where the nose can be cauterized easily and painlessly with a little anesthesia. Things you can do to prevent nose bleeds:

Keep the membranes of the nose moist especially in winter months with saline drops or gel or a medicated ointment
Don’t blow your nose too hard, be gentle
And of course, keep your fingers out of your nose!

Remember nasal bleeding, or bleeding from anywhere is never normal, always consult your doctor.