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What Are Nasal Tampons?
Regular tampons are items that women use to soak up menstrual blood inside the body. Nasal tampons perform the same function but in the nose, to stop nosebleeds. Typically a nasal tampon is only necessary in serious nosebleeds that require medical attention. Commercial nasal tampons are usually made of sponge-like material and fit entirely inside the nose.
Most often, a person with a nosebleed can stop the bleeding with a simple nose pinching until the blood clots and stops bleeding. Sometimes, however, a nosebleed can be continuous and does not respond to home remedies. In this situation, medical treatment is required.
A doctor may apply pressure to the nose, and tell the patient to keep his or her head forward, in the same manner as a home remedy, but the doctor typically also inserts material into the nose to encourage the blood to clot. Sometimes the doctor uses surgical gauze dipped in ointment, but another possible option is a commercial nasal tampon.
The procedure that a doctor follows to pack the nasal cavity with gauze is relatively complex, as he or she has to arrange the gauze in layers inside the nose. As nasal packing generally has to stay inside the nose for several days, the gauze can also become stuck to the dried blood and cause pain on removal. Commercial nasal tampons are generally made of a sponge material, which can resist sticking better than gauze.
Another advantage to nasal tampons over gauze is that the sponge fits properly inside the nasal cavity. The doctor does not need to pack in gauze, but simply place one sponge inside the nose. At first, the sponge is compact, but when it absorbs blood, it grows in shape to fit the cavity, much like a regular menstrual tampon.
Unlike a menstrual tampon, which has a retrieval string that hangs out outside the body, a nasal tampon sits entirely inside the nose, and so is unobtrusive. The insertion and the extraction process can be mildly painful for patients. Lubricant can help ease the insertion process, and another option is a painkilling spray into the nose before the nasal tampon goes in.
Other possible medical solutions to serious nosebleeds include cauterization of the weakened blood vessel inside the nose. A balloon that a doctor inserts and then inflates can also stop a bout of bleeding. Gel that turns into a foam inside the nose is another packing option.
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![Gauze is sometimes used by doctors to help control a nosebleed.]()
By: picsfiveGauze is sometimes used by doctors to help control a nosebleed. -
![Nasal tampons are only necessary during serious nosebleeds.]()
By: FriedbergNasal tampons are only necessary during serious nosebleeds. -
![Packing the nose with gauze is a relatively complex procedure performed by doctors.]()
By: julaszkaPacking the nose with gauze is a relatively complex procedure performed by doctors. -
![A patient's nasal passages may be sprayed with anesthesia prior to inserting nasal tampons.]()
By: Kirill KurashovA patient's nasal passages may be sprayed with anesthesia prior to inserting nasal tampons. -
![A painkilling spray into the nose can make it easier to insert a nasal tampon.]()
By: oneblink1A painkilling spray into the nose can make it easier to insert a nasal tampon. -
![Rhinoplasty, which is commonly performed for cosmetic purposes, may also be used to treat chronic nosebleeds.]()
By: vladimirfloydRhinoplasty, which is commonly performed for cosmetic purposes, may also be used to treat chronic nosebleeds. -
![Nasal tampons perform the same function as regular tampons except in the nose.]()
By: kristina rüttenNasal tampons perform the same function as regular tampons except in the nose.
Discussion Comments
@ysmina-- I agree with you. Those with frequent nosebleeds need to have some nasal tampons in their cabinet. I use them as well, along with a powder that helps close wounds. I apply the powder on the tampon and insert it into my nostril. This combination works great for stubborn nosebleeds where the blood is dripping nonstop.
I suffer from frequent nosebleeds because I'm on a blood thinning medication. Once it starts, it's difficult to stop and unfortunately, cotton or gauze does not work. They become drenched in just a minute and several more have to be used.
The great part about a nasal tampon is that one is enough. I don't have to change it because it never becomes fully drenched. It's a safe and easy way for me to control my nosebleeds.
My son plays hockey and he has had nosebleeds several times due to injury during his games. I keep some nasal tampons in his bag and he says that it comes in very handy. In fact he suggested his coach to buy some since the players need them so frequently.
The article is correct, nasal tampons are not needed in minor nosebleeds. When I was young, if I got a nosebleed my mother would roll up cotton and put it in my nose. But doctors have now said that this is not necessary. Holding the head back is unnecessarily as well. Now doctor recommend keeping the head normal and pinching the nose until the bleeding stops.
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