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Epistaxis - Management
What topical treatment should I advise for acute epistaxis?
- If acute epistaxis settles with first aid measures, consider applying a topical antiseptic preparation, particularly in children for whom cautery is not an option.
- Prescribe Naseptin® (chlorhexidine and neomycin) cream first-line. Advise that the cream should be applied to the nostrils four times daily for 10 days. If compliance is a problem, experts suggest it can be used twice daily for up to 2 weeks.
- Do not prescribe Naseptin® for people known to be allergic to peanut as it contains arachis oil (peanut oil).
- If the person is allergic to peanut or neomycin, consider prescribing mupirocin nasal ointment. Advise that it should be applied to the nostrils two to three times a day for 5–7 days.
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