Epistaxis

Clinical Description

Epistaxis also called nosebleed is a common medical emergency, which requires prompt management to avoid morbidity and mortality. Bleeding can be bilateral or unilateral, or posterior and anterior. Causes include trauma, repeated nose pickings, infections such as rhino sinusitis, systemic causes such as hypertension, bleeding disorders, anaemia and leukemia etc.

Signs and Symptoms

• Nose Bleeding

Investigations

• FBC, sickling test, coagulation screen, liver function test, retroviral screen, if indicated

Non-pharmacological

• Pinch the nose 5-10 minutes let the patient lean forward and breathe through the mouth

Alternative:

• Apply cold pack or ice block to the forehead, using ribbon gauze impregnated with Petroleum Jelly or liquid paraffin.

Pharmacological

• Cauterization of bleeding point by touching the bleeding point with sliver nitrate