How To Get Rid Of Nose Bleeds?
The nose is a part of the body rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position as it protrudes on the face. Nose bleeds can have several external causes, ranging from physical injury to disease and illness. In addition, some people suffer from occasional nose bleeds or even regular nose bleeding that should be addressed immediately and stopped. With all the different factors that can contribute to nose bleed it is important to look at this condition from a couple of very different points of view.
First of all, we need to know how to stop a nose bleed caused by a blow to the face or other injury. In this case it is important to keep the blood loss to a minimum, using some aggressive and effective methods. If a person suffers from regular nose bleeds because of illness or disease we are looking at a very different condition. In this latter case it is crucial to find the real cause. We have to deal with the cause and with getting rid of the nose bleed that occurs at the moment.
What to Do
Whatever the cause, there are certain steps to take to get rid of nose bleeds. Contrary to past advice, you can stop a nose bleed most of the time by leaning forward (not back). After leaning slightly forward, pinch the nose just below the bone, effectively closing off the path for the blood to run out. This should stop most common bleeding from the nose.
If blood continues to flow it may be necessary to pinch the nose nearer the top to help remove a clot or other obstruction. Keep in mind that the tiny blood vessels inside the nose are very sensitive. Sit down as soon as possible and bend forward. Pinch the nostrils as mentioned earlier. Breathe through your mouth. Don’t lie down unless you are feeling faint and might injure yourself if you fall. Don’t blow your nose – this should allow the blood to clot.
Apply a cold compress. Place ice packs on the nose and cheeks in order to constrict the blood vessels in that area.
Aside from these steps, here are several tips that will hopefully prevent your nose from bleeding again:
Get plenty of rest. When you do, make sure that your head is elevated at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees.
Do not put anything on your nose. Avoid sneezing too hard. If you have to, then open your mouth so the air will escape out of it and through the nose. (Make sure to cover your nose and mouth, too!)
Do not smoke. Smoking exacerbates nosebleeds.
Avoid taking too many medications that thin the blood.
Repeated Nose Bleeds
If your nose bleeds regularly or if you have a family member that suffers from nose bleeding on a regular basis it is important to find out what the real cause might be.
Some people develop nose bleeds because of allergies in spring or summer. Sometimes our noses bleed during winter when the air in the house is too dry. It is important to keep the nose tissue moist to avoid bleeding problems.
Humidify the air in your house if necessary. If the spring/summer allergy conditions are causing the problem you may have to stay inside and control the air temperature and humidity. Air conditioners help remove allergens from the air, but you may have to use a specific type of air filter to get the best results. A small amount of Vaseline to moisten nasal tissues might help.
If your nose bleeds are a regular occurrence you should probably visit your doctor. Give the doctor details about when your nose bleeds and how you deal with it. It may be necessary to take more aggressive medical steps to get rid of your nose bleeds.
