The nose is a sensitive part of the body, so even the smallest cut or a minor wound inside it can be difficult to treat and are sometimes painful. Proper care of the wound inside the nose can promote healing and avoid unwanted infections. See your doctor if the bleeding doesn't stop, if the wound doesn't heal, or if an infection develops.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Clean the Wound
Step 1. Wash your hands
Make sure they are clean to avoid introducing bacteria into the open wound. Use clean running water and scrub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds (time to sing "Happy Birthday" twice). When finished, rinse them well and dry them with a clean cloth.
Step 2. Stop the bleeding
If the cut or wound is bleeding and is very close to the edge of the nose, you can apply gentle pressure, using clean material, until the bleeding stops. Do not block breathing and do not insert a tampon in the nostrils.
- If you cannot see the wound clearly or it is not near the edge of the nose, use effective first aid methods to stop the bleeding.
- Sit upright and lean forward. Maintain this posture to try to reduce the pressure in the blood vessels inside the nose and avoid ingesting blood at the same time.
- Close your nose, pinch it with your thumb and forefinger, maintaining pressure for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, breathe through your mouth; after 10 minutes, release your grip.
- If your nose is still bleeding, repeat the procedure. If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, seek medical attention. the injury may be more severe than initially appeared.
- Try to keep the area cool during this process by placing a cold washcloth or sucking on something frozen, like a popsicle.
Step 3. Gently wipe off any residue inside the nose
To reduce the risk of infections and possible complications, you can use sterilized tweezers to remove any fragments left in the cut.
Step 4. Use clean tools
If you think there is some foreign body stuck in your nose or you just need to get rid of some skin, tissue or blood clot, you need to sterilize the instruments before using them. If you can't do this, still make sure they are as clean as possible.
Step 5. Sterilize the tools you need to use
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Carefully wash tools, such as tweezers, using soap, water, and rinse them well.
- Put them in a pot or pan, completely covering them with water.
- Close the pan with the lid and bring to a boil. Boil the water for at least 15 minutes without removing the lid.
- Remove the pot from the heat (don't remove the lid yet) and let it cool down to room temperature.
- Drain the water from the pot without touching the tools. If you are not ready to use them, leave them in the pan without water, but keep the lid on.
- When you are ready to use the accessories, carefully remove them from the container. Avoid touching those parts that will come into contact with the wound; touches only the handles or grips.
Step 6. See a doctor if the injured area is not within easy reach
If you can't see the cut clearly, it may be difficult to properly care for it yourself. In fact, you could cause further damage or introduce bacteria if the lesion is too deep.
Step 7. Choose a cleaning product
In general, the best way to clean a wound, cut, or minor skin lesion is to use soap and water. In the most delicate and sensitive areas, however, it is better to use a product that has cleansing and antibacterial properties.
Chlorhexidine is a particularly suitable solution that contains both detergent and antibacterial substances; you can find it in major pharmacies without a prescription. Make sure you dilute it thoroughly before using it on the mucous membranes (inside the nose)
Step 8. Read the product label
You must not use it unless it is clearly stated that it can be applied inside the nose.
Step 9. Clean the fabrics around the cut
To be able to reach the wound and clean it, you must use a cotton swab or a piece of rolled gauze and carefully insert it inside the nostril.
- Use clean or sterilized tweezers to grasp the gauze and thoroughly clean the injured area.
- Wet the tip of the cotton swab or gauze with fresh water and neutral soap or a few drops of chlorhexidine.
- Repeat the same procedure with fresh water and clean tools to rinse out any remaining soap residue.
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Cut
Step 1. Keep your hands clean
Cutting is a potential gateway into the bloodstream for unwanted bacteria.
Step 2. Ask your doctor what products you can use for your nose
There are specific creams, antibiotic ointments, or antiseptics to be applied to superficial cuts or scratches, but they may not be suitable for more serious lesions inside the nose. Ask your doctor if these medications are safe and if you can safely use them to heal cuts in your nostrils. You can find them for free sale in pharmacies.
If you have your doctor's approval, put a small amount of antibiotic ointment on the end of a Q-tip or on a piece of gauze. Apply the medicated product very carefully all around the cut area
Step 3. Do not touch the lesion with your fingers
If you have to use them to apply the medicine, make sure they are thoroughly washed.
Step 4. Don't poke the area
Once the drug is applied, you need to leave your nose alone. Keep your fingers away and avoid teasing the crust. If you keep touching the area, you prevent the mucous membranes from healing properly and increase the risk of infection.
- Gently cleanse the area with a nose-safe emollient so you don't risk creating a large, uncomfortable scab. You can use antibacterial ointment or some petroleum jelly to keep the area moist.
- This should help the cut form a smaller, softer scab, at the same time promoting scarring.
Step 5. Reapply the ointment as needed
Depending on the location of the cut, its length or depth, you may need to put the medication back every day or even several days. Always be very careful not to introduce bacteria.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with a Serious Case
Step 1. See your doctor if the wound doesn't stop bleeding
Persistent bleeding could indicate a broken bone, a very deep cut, or more serious medical conditions. If you notice that the bleeding continues for more than 15-20 minutes, it means there is some more serious problem.
Step 2. See your doctor if the cut doesn't start to heal within a few days
Some lesions that occur inside the nose may require medical treatment. The nose is a sensitive area, with many blood vessels, fluids (such as mucus) and secretions; all of these contain bacteria. Some wounds in the nose need to be treated by a doctor or even a specialist such as an otolaryngologist.
Sometimes the wound appears to heal appropriately, but it can reform itself after a few weeks or months. In this case, it is likely that an infection has developed. See your doctor for a course of antibiotics and other medical procedures to prevent the wound from returning
Step 3. Seek medical attention if the trauma was caused by an animal
If the wound was caused by an animal or some dirty object with jagged, uneven edges, you need to make sure the area is cleaned and treated thoroughly. The sooner you can spot a possible infection, the easier it will be to safely heal the wound and keep it under control.
See your doctor as soon as possible if the sore in your nose was caused by something that could potentially result in a serious systemic infection
Step 4. Look for signs of infection
Regardless of the cause of the cut, infections require prompt medical attention. Pay attention to the following symptoms:
- The injured area does not improve within a few days or begins to get worse
- The area begins to swell and feels warm to the touch;
- The wound is causing thick pus-like fluid to leak and you smell a bad smell coming from the lesion or fluid;
- You start to have a fever.
Step 5. Learn about treatments for infections
In most cases, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for oral or topical use. Depending on the type of treatment, the cut can heal within a week or two once drug therapy is started.
Advice
- If the cut does not heal within a few weeks, it could indicate a more serious condition that requires medical attention.
- Leave the cut alone. If you keep poking the wound or lesion inside the nose, you prevent it from healing and risk introducing bacteria that can lead to an infection.
- If you notice pain, swelling, or bruising on the injured area, it could be a broken bone and not just a cut. See your doctor if you have these symptoms.
- If you have recurring and prolonged bleeding episodes, you may need to intervene with medical procedures. The cut may be longer or deeper than you initially thought.
- If the wound is too high inside the nostril and is not easily visible or reachable, you need to see your doctor for treatment.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to promote healing.
- Get regular boosters for tetanus vaccination. Adults should have the injection every 10 years.