• Reference Number: HEY-731/2020
• Departments: Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Last Updated: 31 December 2020

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about nasal pack removal. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team, but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

Dressings may have been placed into each side of your nose to prevent bleeding, either after a severe nose bleed or surgery.  These dressings are called ‘packs’ and may block your nose so that you have to breathe through your mouth. There are dissolvable and non-dissolvable packs. Packs that are dissolvable can be left in your nose and will dissolve over several days. Non-absorbable packs will need to be removed before you are discharged from hospital.

Once removed, the nurse or doctor may apply a bolster dressing just in front of your nose to catch any blood stained secretions. The bolster dressing can stay in place until you get home.

You may get some bleeding from your nose at home. This normally resolves with first aid measures such as pinching the fleshy soft part of your nose just above your nostrils for 15 minutes. Sucking on ice or putting an ice-pack at the top of your nose may also help. If first aid measures do not work or bleeding is excessive, then please attend the Emergency department.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Neurosurgery Department (01482) 674369.