It’s summertime and the only thing that should be gushing in the Midlands is water. But this time of year, nosebleeds are common – especially as the weather warms up. These can be scary – the sight of blood is rarely welcome – but most of the time, they’re completely harmless. If you do experience a nosebleed, there are steps you can take to stop it quickly.
What Causes Nosebleeds?
There are many possible causes of nosebleeds. Injury, infection, allergies, high blood pressure, picking the nose and sticking objects into the nostrils can all cause a rupture in the blood vessels. Other factors, such as altitude and temperature extremes, may also encourage a nosebleed. An occasional nosebleed is hardly cause for concern, but when they occur repeatedly, you might have an underlying health issue. Possibilities include hypertension, disease, alcoholism and tumor.
If your nose starts to bleed unexpectedly, the first thing you should do is remain calm. It may look like a lot of blood is pouring from your nostrils, but the actual amount is minimal. Sit down, tilt your head slightly forward and pinch your nostrils between your thumb and forefinger for 5-10 minutes – this should be enough to cut off the bleeding. Never tilt your head backward; this can cause blood to seep down the back of the throat, causing irritation and coughing. Avoid activities such as blowing your nose, going out in the heat or traveling as much as possible the rest of the day so the broken blood vessels will have a chance to heal.
If applying pressure doesn’t stop the bleeding, call your doctor to see if they can get you in for an appointment. It may be necessary to have the vessel cauterized, though this is rare. Frequent nosebleeds should be evaluated by a health professional, especially in children and the elderly. They could be the result of an infection or another underlying health condition that requires treatment.
Home Remedies
There are certain home remedies you can try that may help stop the bleeding or aid in the prevention of nosebleeds. These include:
- Drink half a cup of water with a pinch of salt
- Apply a few drops of nettle leaf juice on each nostril
- Drink lots of water
- Make sure you get plenty of vitamins C and K
- Put a pack around your nose
- Add a few drops of coriander oil to the inner lining of your nostrils
- Never forcibly blowing your nose
- Quit smoking
If you have additional concerns about summer nosebleeds, talk to your CENTA ear, nose and throat specialist.