First Aid Final Part 10 - ....and your nose is bleeding - Tips for teens

If you are someone who gets nosebleeds often, it will not really be a big deal and you will know by now what to do to stop the bleeding, but if it does not happen often or for the first time, it can be scary, not to mention embarrassing if you sit in class with your friends when it happens.

Lets get some information and tips on how to deal with this.

     

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The first thing you need to remember when you or a friend gets a nosebleed is to stay calm.  Most of the time it is not serious and with the right technique the blood will stop quickly.  Stay calm and take a deep breath before you continue doing what you must to stop the blood.

Have a look at the video that shows you a simple way in which to stop a nosebleed.

Do not blow your nose shortly after a nosebleed, this can cause your nose to bleed again.  Something else that some people do is hold their head tilted to the back when they have a nosebleed.  Don't do this, because the blood will run down your throat and can make you choke or get nauseous.

If you have taken the necessary steps and your nose is still bleeding after 20 minutes, it is wise to visit the doctor.

The most common kind of nosebleed is an anterior nosebleed, which comes from the front of the nose. Capillaries, or very small blood vessels, that are inside the nose may break and bleed, causing this type of nosebleed.  Another kind of nosebleed is a posterior nosebleed, which comes from the deepest part of the nose. Blood from a posterior nosebleed flows down the back of the throat even if the person is sitting or standing. Teens rarely have posterior nosebleeds, which occur most often in older people, people who have high blood pressure, and people who have had nose or face injuries. 

Dry air can be a great cause of 'anterior nosebleed' since the nose will also become very dry and a vein can easily burst.  A cold can also cause your nose to bleed.  If you have a cold during the winter and you live in an area with a dry climate, getting a nose bleed can easily occur.

 Nosebleeds are rarely cause for alarm, but frequent nosebleeds might indicate a more serious problem. If you get nosebleeds more than once a week, you should see your doctor. Most cases of frequent nosebleeds are easily treated. Sometimes tiny blood vessels inside the nose become irritated and don't heal. This happens more frequently in teens who have ongoing allergies or frequent colds. A doctor may have a solution if you have this problem 

Your doctor will do an examination to try and find out what causes the problem.  If it is not a cold, sinus or allergies, he will do more tests to try and determine the cause.

If you are living in an area with very dry air, you can get a humidifier to put moisture back in the air in your house.  If you have a cold, do not blow your nose too 'hard'.

If you play sports and want to prevent injuries that can cause your nose to bleed, make sure you wear the necessary 'protective gear'.