Discharge following a nosebleed

Information for patients

NHS Lanarkshire Emergency Department

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General advice

After your nosebleed has stopped it is important to avoid a few things over the next 48 hours to prevent it from starting to bleed again:

Blowing or picking your nose as this may disrupt the blood clot
Hot drinks and hot showers or baths as these will cause the blood vessels in your nose to open up
Alcohol
Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise
Bending down, for example to pick up something off the floor
Lying completely flat, use pillows to keep your head higher than your chest

Creams

You may have been given some antibiotic cream (Naseptin). This should help to prevent the nosebleed from starting again by keeping the bleeding spot moist and stopping infection.

You should use this four times a day for 10 days.

Using the nozzle of the tube, gently apply to the inside of your nostril on the side that was bleeding (see right).

Do not use Naseptin cream if you have an allergy to peanuts or soya as it contains peanut oil – petroleum jelly such as. Vaseline can be used as an alternative.

If the nosebleed starts again

Lean your head forward and pinch the soft part of your nose (or use the nose peg if provided) for 20 minutes. This slows the bleeding and allows it to stop.

Do not use the nose peg for more than 20 minutes at a time

If the bleeding has still not stopped, place a covered ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the bridge of your nose, while you pinch the soft part of your nose.

If these methods do not work, please make your way to the Emergency Department.

Attend the Emergency Department immediately if: