Friday i had a nose bleed that would not stop. after 3 hours i went to urgent care. the dr put a cotton plug into my nostril. bleeding stopped - can i remove the plug or should i have a dr do it?

Did : Did the urgent care doctor tell you if there was a visible bleeding vessel? Were you told to see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist)? If not then the bleeding was probably due to dry nose secondary to allergies or other issue, however it would be wise to follow up with your primary care provider for a more clear understanding. You should be able to take the cotton out yourself. However if the bleeding persists and does not stop you need to go back to the urgent care. Good luck.

Nose Bleed: Unless otherwise directed you should remove gently. If it begins bleeding again, hold your nostrils between fingers for about 10 minutes. Sit up & hold your head & neck forward so the blood doesn’t just flow down your throat. If you are able to – place a moistened cotton ball over the area that is bleeding. If you can’t control the bleeding after 20 minutes – seek medical assistance.