Is a simple procedure performed in the clinic to prevent further nose bleeds
The majority of nose bleeds are due to a prominent blood vessel affecting the midline partition (septum) at the front of the nose.
The nostril is numbed in the clinic with cotton wool soaked with local anaesthetic. A silver nitrate stick is used to cauterise the prominent blood vessel. This causes scarring of the vessel over the next few weeks.
It is possible to have a few further nose bleeds in the initial period after nasal cautery, but these usually settle within a few weeks. Vaseline should be applied twice a day for the first two weeks to prevent a crust from forming in the nose.
To prevent further nose bleeds in the following weeks, patients are advised to avoid forceful nose-blowing, avoid hot food, drinks, and showers, sneeze through the mouth and to avoid bending down without bending the knees.
If there is no obvious bleeding point at the front of the nose, or the nose bleeds persist after nasal cautery, an examination with an endoscope to look at the back of the nose may be required.
