How to manage facial trauma

Nose bleeds NOSE bleeds occur following blunt traumas (e.g. sharp blow to the face), picking or blowing of the nose, or as a result of inflammatory reaction (e.g. respiratory tract infection, allergic rhinitis). Systemic factors include allergies, flu and the common cold.

Treatment

1 Ask the patient to sit down and tilt his or her head forward so that the blood will drain out of the nostril(s).

2 Ask the patient to breathe through his or her mouth and pinch the soft part of the nose. Pinch just below the hard area of the nose.

3 Reassure the patient.

4 Ask the patient to continue to pinch his or her nose and refrain from talking, swallowing, or coughing.

5 Provide the patient with a dressing or tissue paper, so that the blood will drip into the cloth or tissue.

6 Ask the patient to release the pinch after 10 minutes. If bleeding continues, ask the patient to re-apply the pinch for a further 10 minutes.

7 If the bleeding has stopped, advise the patient to rest calmly for a few hours.

8 If the bleeding does not stop, call 112 or 999.

9 Advise the patient not to blow or pick at his or her nose.