“Should I visit the ER for a sudden nosebleed?”
I am a 30-year-old male and I developed a sudden nosebleed for no reason. Should I visit ER for sudden nosebleed?
3 Answers
If the nosebleed lasts more than 15 minutes without stopping, you may need some help from the ER. Try using a nasal decongestant spray such as Afrin in the nose when the bleeding happens. These are short acting vasoconstrictors, and will help the blood vessels compress. Squeeze the soft part of the nose for at least 5 minutes without stopping. If the bleeding stops, great. If not, go to the ER.
Not for the first one...unless cuts won't close or you see tiny red spots around your ankles. Those could be a sign of low platelets, which is dangerous but almost always fixable.
Most nosebleeds are anterior. Squeeze your nose with thumb and index finger for ten minutes. If that stops bleed, apply ice pack for thirty minutes. If it restarts, repeat above. If it starts again, go to the ER or ENT office. Do not blow your nose or pick it for three weeks. No aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, or smoking for at least 10 days.
