May 17, 2019
NOSEBLEEDS CAN OCCUR WITH SUMMER INJURIES
See Your ThedaCare Provider to Rule Out Broken Bones; Other Conditions
BERLIN, Wis. – It can happen suddenly, that “oh, no” feeling of a nosebleed starting, or watching your child panic at the sight of the sudden gush of blood. For the most part, nosebleeds are not a cause for concern. There are times when a nosebleed should be followed by a visit to your ThedaCare provider.
“If a nosebleed is associated with any sort of injury—which is more common in kids who might fall down or get hit with a ball—don’t hesitate to be evaluated,” said Dr. Abigail Puglisi, DO, of ThedaCare Physicians-Berlin. “We’d hate to miss something else that might be going on, like a bone break or another injury to the face.”
While anybody can get nosebleeds, they are most common in children and the elderly, and more often occur in the winter months when the air is drier, Puglisi said. In the general adult population, smokers are more prone to nosebleeds as smoking can dry out the skin inside the nose.
The elderly may be more likely to have an underlying medical condition that causes them to be more prone to nosebleeds, such as taking blood thinners, she said. With kids, the most common cause of getting regular nosebleeds is (unfortunately) nose-picking, Puglisi said. Additionally, some kids who attempt to put objects up their nose can cause a bleed.
If it happens, the best thing to do is to lean a little bit forward—not tip your head back, as you may have done in the past.
“If you tip your head back, the blood can run to the throat and you’re more likely to gag and vomit,” Puglisi said. “Leaning forward is a little better because the blood will just come out the nose.”
People also should pinch the soft part of the nose to apply pressure where the bleed to help the bleeding stop, she said. Holding for at least five minutes is best.
When to visit your provider for a nosebleed:
- When it is caused by an injury such as a fall or a blow to the face
- If it doesn’t stop after 20 minutes
- If you’re having repeated nosebleeds day after day without relief from treatments such as humidifiers or nasal saline
- If you have bleeding elsewhere, such as the gums, or you see blood in your spit or mucus
Dr. Puglisi explained in rare cases, repeated nosebleeds might mean a person has an underlying bleeding or clotting disorder that requires more medical attention. If you have any concerns, you should speak with your provider.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization serves a community of more than 600,000 residents and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the regions. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 31 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
Media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public Relations Specialist at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
