*Every Friday is all about food on Red Cross Talks – everything from Red Cross inspired recipes to emergency food tips and solutions.
If one thing is for certain: Canadians love bacon.
Most Canadians would say the smell of bacon can cure just about anything. Doctors in the US recently found some truth to this by discovering that the cured pork product has the ability to cure – strangely enough - nosebleeds.
An unusual news item this past week, based on a medical journal report, found that a 4-year-old girl's nose successfully stopped bleeding when strips of raw bacon were placed in her nostrils. The young girl had been treated by doctors at the Detroit Medical Center.
According to an article in the Guardian, this isn’t anything new, mentioning that doctors have used salt pork in the past as a nosebleed cure.
Now, with all this being said, we don't know if this actually works (it's best to consult your physician). The Canadian Red Cross recommends following these tried and tested steps to assist someone with a nosebleed:
- Have the person sit slightly forward, while pinching the nostrils 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once you have controlled the bleeding, tell the person to avoid rubbing, blowing or picking at their nose because it could cause the bleeding to restart.
- If the person loses consciousness, has a head injury, or if there is an object in their nose, seek medical attention immediately.
- Remember to use gloves and barrier devices while treating the person.
The Canadian Red Cross also recommends individuals take a first aid course to gain the confidence and skills to know what to do when faced with a nosebleed or another medical emergency. To find out about first aid courses in your area, click here.