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Supplemental Oxygen and Nose Bleeds: What do you do?
Hello Everyone,
Lilbit while being oxygen dependent and using a bipap as well as having congestive heart failure commonly has nose bleeds which can be very scary when on blood thinners. We went to the ENT several weeks ago. He said that the oxygen dries out the nasal septum which is the center part of the skin separating the nostrils. He also said that the plastic prongs were rubbing against the septum irritating it and making it raw.
Since he knows I really get involved in researching medical issues, he called me over to look up her nose to see the actual raw spots.
They looked much like a skinned knee from falling onto concrete. It was very raw.
Remedy was to snip about half the length of the prongs off the oxygen cannula, which the ENT did to show me how much in case I had to do the same to new cannulas.
For the nose bleeds, he said to purchase a bottle of Afrin nasal spray. DO NOT SPRAY in nose but to place some Afrin onto a cotton ball then place in nostril for 10 to 15 mins. He said, the medication in Afrin causes the tiny blood vessels to constrict thus stopping the bleeding.
He also said, that if the blood pressure is 160 or the bottom number was 90 then the blood pressure would cause the blood to be pushed around the cotton ball. If that happens and the bleeding continues, then go to the ER.
How many others have heard of doing these things? Has anyone tried or had success at stopping nose bleeds? So far, the Afrin placed on a cotton ball and placed in her nostril for 10 ton 15 mins has worked. Sometimes we have done it twice but had success.
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I'd like to add that if someone doesn't have any cotton balls or Afrin, the way nurses are taught now is to sit up, lean head forward, and press on the side of the upper part of the nostril for 10 to fifteen mins. Try not to swallow any blood that backs up in the nostril which could cause nausea and vomiting.
How do YOU stop a nose bleed?
What do you do when you are on O2 24/7. get a nose bleed and have to keep the tabs in your nose or you can't breath?
Hi @katt56b People who use supplemental oxygen to breath can be at risk for nosebleeds because the nasal prongs can cause trauma to, or irritate, the inside of their noses. In this situation, two recommendations are to humidify the oxygen or switch to an oxygen mask instead of the nasal prongs. Nasal saline sprays also can help.
Do you get nosebleeds often?
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2 ReactionsYes, I get nose bleeds often, most times daily, sometime the very bad ones I get in the middle of the night it is an uncomfortable thing to have happen. I use saline nasal gel to add moisture it helps me quite a bit and yes nasal saline spray does help.
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2 ReactionsIt’s not easy. I have to dab a bit then. Inhale a bit. Dab a bit then inhale a bit.
It’s sort of a process I’ve learned over time. Use a saline gel, it may help you.
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2 ReactionsGreat advice @littlesister. May I ask what condition you require supplemental oxygen for?
Hard to say but I have emphysema they tell me it is end stage but I do not acknowledge that “term”
May I ask what is your enterest?
* misspelled. Interest
I also had nosebleeds when on supplemental oxygen. A humidifier on my concentrator helped a lot to keep nasal passages moist. Especially needed it in the winter. Good idea about the Afrin spray.
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