In addition to an injury, epistaxis (nose bleeding) can also be caused by dryness and irritation of the nasal mucosa. You can avoid this by avoiding irritating, scratching, and rubbing the inside of the nose with your fingers. You should also try to keep it hydrated by increasing the humidity in the house and applying petroleum jelly. If the bleeding doesn't stop or you can't prevent recurrence, see your doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Avoid Irritation
Step 1. Don't pick your nose
The most common type of bleeding is anterior epistaxis, when blood escapes from the lower septum, which is the wall that separates the two channels of the nose. In this area there are very sensitive vessels that can bleed profusely if they are irritated. Picking your nose is a major cause of irritation, which can lead to this type of problem.
- You should avoid picking your nose in general if you want to reduce the chances of nosebleeds.
- Trim your nails regularly; so, if you can't help but pick your nose, at least you are less likely to irritate it.
Step 2. Blow your nose rarely and gently
Nose picking is sure to cause irritation, but vigorous blowing can cause nosebleeds. Try to do it in moderation and, when you can't do without it, proceed gently and avoid putting too much force. If you have a cold or allergies and need to blow your nose more often than usual, you may actually be causing bleeding.
You can also suffer from nosebleeds when you rub your nose too hard or subject it to other types of physical irritation or trauma
Step 3. Do not use over-the-counter nasal sprays and certain medications
Antihistamines, decongestants, and other nonprescription nose spray medications may be responsible for this disorder. If you use them too much, you may dry out the linings of your nostrils, which can break and bleed. Additionally, oral antihistamines and decongestions can also dry out the nasal passages, thereby increasing bleeding. If these medications help you manage allergies, but at the same time cause you nosebleeds, try to use them in moderation. alternatively, consult your doctor for other solutions.
Step 4. Reduce your aspirin intake
If you take it regularly and start to experience nosebleeds, there may be a link. Medicines such as aspirin and blood thinners lead to bleeding more easily, thus increasing the risk of this malaise.
- Consult your doctor about the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
- If you have been prescribed any of these medicines and you think they may be the cause of your ailment, you should talk to your doctor.
- Do not stop prescription drug therapy unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you suddenly stop taking certain medicines, serious consequences for your health could develop. If you can't avoid taking NSAIDs or blood thinners, ask your doctor about the best way to avoid and treat nosebleeds.
Step 5. Stop smoking
If you tend to have a nosebleed, it is important that you stop smoking. Smoking will increase the chances of bleeding as it dries up the nasal passages. Smoking also increases nose irritation.
Consult your doctor about ways to quit smoking. They may advise you on certain medications or tell you other options to help you quit
Part 2 of 3: Protect the Nose
Step 1. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nostrils
If your nose is dry and irritated, you run a higher risk of suffering from nosebleeds; however, you can check it by carefully applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This way, the nasal passages stay wetter and the chances of them drying out or becoming irritated are greatly reduced.
You can apply petroleum jelly several times, even three or four times a day
Step 2. Use a saline or water-based nasal gel
It is a product created specifically to be applied inside the nose and is an alternative to petroleum jelly. You can buy it in pharmacies or parapharmacies without a prescription. Be sure to apply it carefully and follow the instructions on the package. You can also try a saline nasal spray to keep your nostrils moist.
Step 3. Wear a helmet during sports activities
If you play any sports where there is a chance of getting hit on the head, such as rugby, football or martial arts, you should consider wearing protection. The helmet protects your head and reduces the intensity of the blows you may suffer, thus also decreasing the chances of suffering from nosebleeds.
Step 4. Know when it's time to see your doctor
If you suffer from frequent nosebleeds and are unable to prevent them from occurring, make a doctor's appointment. When a child under the age of two suffers from nosebleeds, it is extremely important to contact the pediatrician. You should also see your doctor if you are taking blood thinners, have a clotting disorder, high blood pressure, or if the bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms of anemia, such as heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat, dizziness, pale skin, and difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if:
- The bleeding continues for more than twenty minutes;
- You have lost a lot of blood and the bleeding is profuse;
- You have difficulty breathing
- You have ingested a lot of blood and it makes you vomit;
- The nosebleed occurred after an injury.
Part 3 of 3: Making Changes to the Home Environment
Step 1. Humidify the air in your home
Dry air can be a major cause of nosebleeds; therefore, if your house is not very humid and you suffer from frequent nosebleeds, you should raise the humidity levels. You should do this a little throughout the house, but it's especially important in the bedroom.
- Dry air is one of the main factors responsible for this ailment, but a correct percentage of humidity can reduce it.
- If you find that your nose is very dry, make the air you breathe more humid. You can take a shower or stand in the steamy bath of hot water for 15-20 minutes each time.
- You can also choose to use a cold vaporizer to put in the bedroom.
Step 2. Reduce the heat in the room you sleep in
You can reduce the chances of having frequent nosebleeds by keeping your room temperature slightly lower. The lower temperature and cooler air in fact decrease the risk of drying out the nasal passages. During the night in the room it should be around 16-18 ° C.
You can also raise your head when you sleep by placing another pillow, to avoid bleeding as much as possible
Step 3. Stay hydrated
When the nasal membranes dry out, they can rupture and bleed more easily. Adequate home air humidity is one of the possible solutions to prevent this phenomenon, but you must also make sure that you hydrate your body properly by drinking plenty of water. If you suffer from severe and recurring nosebleeds, you should drink at least eight glasses of fluids a day. Especially if the air is dry, try to sip some water every fifteen minutes.
