If you have recently had surgery, you may experience nosebleeds and these may occur several times over the course of a few days. It can be scary to see blood leaking out of your face when you've just been under the knife but it could be a normal part of the healing process.
Are Nosebleeds Common After Surgery?
If you have had surgery on your sinuses, you may experience some nasal pain, irritation, and bleeding several days after surgery.
Surgery is very invasive and if you've had a procedure on your sinuses or nasal septum, it's common to suffer from nosebleeds as the area heals.
Following a rhinoplasty, for instance, it's normal to experience quite a lot of bleeding during the first 12 to 24 hours and you may need to change the gauze over a dozen times during that first day.
It's also normal to have a red/pink discharge for the first few days after this surgery. Make sure you follow the care instructions provided by your doctor. If you experience any discomfort, they may recommend that you take over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or use nasal sprays to keep the area clean.
Be wary of using Aspirin, as it acts as blood thinner and may lead to heavy bleeding.
If you can't resist picking your nose or poking the general area, you may experience nosebleeds, as well. The blood vessels in your nose are very sensitive and if they have also been weakened and exposed, even the slightest damage could rupture them and cause nosebleeds.
Bloody Nose in a Child After Anesthesia?
If you're worried because your young son or daughter is suffering from frequent nosebleeds several days after surgery, make sure you check the post-procedure instructions or call their doctor. Most of the time, the causes will be completely harmless and nothing to worry about, but it's good to keep them in the loop.
It's possible that a breathing tube was fed into their mouth and down their throat, potentially causing short-term damage to the nose and throat.
When Should You Worry?
You are in a very vulnerable position following surgery, especially if you were given anesthesia. If you experience frequent bleeding or the blood loss is substantial, you should contact your doctor.
It might be nothing and they might tell you to use some nasal sprays, take some pain meds, and keep your nose protected. But it's important to provide them with an update just in case there are any serious issues and to make sure they know how you're progressing.
