MANAGEMENT OF NOSE BLEED (EPISTAXIS)
Nose bleed is very common during the harmattan.
It occurs when tiny blood vessels in your nostrils are ruptured either by blowing of your nose, sneezing, nose picking, trauma etc.
Below is the first aid management for nosebleed;
1. Sit down and tilt your head forward to allow the blood to drain from your nostrils. Don't tilt your head up as that can lead you to aspirate the blood.
2. Breath through your mouth and pinch the soft part of your nose for up to 10 minutes
3. Applying pressure on the soft part of the nose will help arrest the bleeding. It is important not to speak, sniff or cough as this may disturb the blood clot formed in the nose
4. Release the pressure after 10 minutes. Repeat the process again if the bleeding doesn't stop
5. Once the bleeding stops, clean around your nose with lukewarm water with your head still leaning forward. Avoid exertion, picking the nose or blowing it as it may disturb the clot formation
6. If the nose bleed is severe and last more than 30minutes, go to the hospital for further management
Remember nose bleed can be serious if a lot of blood is loss. If the nose bleed follows a head injury, the blood will be thin and watery. This is a serious sign of skull fracture and the fluid might be leaking from around the brain.
Always remember FOHA your health first....
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