Treatment for Epistaxis
Treatment for nosebleeds depends on the cause. Possible treatment for epistaxis may include:
- Nasal packing: This will involve insertion of gauze, special nasal sponges or foam, or an inflatable latex balloon into your nose to create pressure at the site of the bleed. Depending on the extent of bleeding, your provider may want to leave the material in place for 24 to 48 hours before removing it.
- Cauterization: This procedure involves applying a chemical substance (silver nitrate) or heat energy (electrocautery) to close the blood vessel that is bleeding. A local anesthetic will first be sprayed in your nose to numb it.
- Medication adjustments/new prescriptions: it will also help to reduce or stop the amount of blood-thinning medications. In addition, your provider may recommend medications for controlling blood pressure, such as Tranexamic (Lystedaâ®), a medication to help blood clot.
- Foreign body removal: If the cause of the nosebleed is a foreign object, your provider will remove it.
- Surgery: In severe cases, one might need surgical repair of a broken nose or correction of a deviated septum (septoplasty) [4]if this is the cause of the nosebleed.
- Ligation: This procedure involves tying off the person’s blood vessel to stop the bleeding.