How to Treat Nosebleeds at Home

Although it is abnormal for blood to trickle down your nostrils unprovoked, it is usually not a serious condition, except it is caused by severe underlying conditions. Most of the causes of nosebleeds are usually minor. They can be managed at home following different home remedies and natural procedures, as discussed in the other part of this article.

What is Nosebleed?

Nosebleed is referred to as epistaxis, a condition that occurs when blood exits through the nostrils. According to research, 60% of people will experience nosebleeds in their lifetime. Nosebleeds are common because the nose is packed with numerous blood vessels.

Any trauma or injury caused to the face or nose can cause one of the blood vessels to burst and shed blood through the nostrils. Many factors have been identified to cause nosebleeds, ranging from mild to severe, and the bleeding could either be heavy or light.

Studies have shown that bleeding can last for up to 10 to 15 minutes, especially in mild cases. However, when bleeding continues after 20 minutes and does not stop even after first aid, then it is an agonizing condition and demands immediate medical attention.

As common or as “not serious” as you think nosebleeds can be, severe cases of nosebleeds can be extremely life-threatening. Thus, you must pay attention to every case of nosebleeds you experience.

When to Visit a Doctor

• If a nosebleed results from severe trauma or injury to the head, face, or nose
• If nosebleed episodes become too frequent
• If the bleeding becomes heavier than normal
• If bleeding lasts longer than 25 minutes
• If you encounter difficulty breathing as a result of the bleed
• If bleeding occurs in children within the age range of 2 and below
• If you have anemia symptoms
• If you are on blood-thinning medications
• If the nosebleed begins almost immediately after you start a new medication

Types of Nosebleeds

Anterior Nosebleed

This occurs when one of the many blood vessels at the front of the nose bursts or ruptures. This is usually not considered a serious kind of nosebleed and can be treated at home.

Posterior Nosebleed

This occurs when one of the many blood vessels that are close to the throat bursts or ruptures. This is a more serious kind of nosebleed that requires medical attention and can sometimes be life-threatening.

Who Can Have Nosebleeds?

Truth is, anybody can get nosebleeds. However, some people have a higher chance of suffering from the condition. These people include;

• Children within the age bracket of 2 and 10. This is because they are always prone to cold air and allergies. Sometimes nosebleeds in children within this age range may result from them sticking objects into their nostrils while playing.
• In pregnant women; during pregnancy, the blood vessels in the nose get bigger and burst or rupture upon any pressure, no matter how mild the pressure is
• People with bleeding disorders
• Adults aged 50 to 60 may experience nosebleeds because, at this age, blood may take much more time than normal to clot.
• People on blood-thinning medications

Symptoms of Nosebleeds

The only standard symptom of a nosebleed is blood coming out of the nose. According to studies, the common symptoms of posterior nosebleeds are bleeding from both nostrils, and feeling fluid (blood) flowing in the throat, especially when the victim is lying down. Apart from this, the other symptoms depend on the severity of the nosebleed.

Causes of Nosebleeds

Different factors can trigger nosebleeds. These factors include:

• Severe injury or trauma caused to the head, face, or nose can cause the blood vessels in the nose to rupture, thereby causing bleeding
• When the nose lining and mucus membrane are inflamed as a result of infections and allergies, it can break the blood vessels in the nose.
• Picking the nose with sharp objects can irritate the nose and cause it to bleed.
• Forcefully blowing the nose
• Atmosphere conditions such as low humidity and climate pressure can cause cracks in the mucus membrane and nasal cavity, thereby causing the nose to bleed.
• Irritation of the nasal cavity from nasally administered drugs like cocaine can trigger nosebleeds.
• Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can dry out the nasal cavity and cause the nose to bleed. In addition, blood thinners can also contribute to nosebleeds.
• Cancer management methods like radiation and chemotherapy can thin the blood such that blood clotting becomes a bit difficult. When this occurs, bleeding from the nose sets in
• Particles in the air from air pollutants can irritate the lining of the nose. An example of these pollutants is smoke from the exhaust pipes of cars and machines.

Apart from the above-mentioned causes of nosebleeds, studies have shown that some health conditions can trigger nosebleeds. The following are health conditions that can increase your risk of experiencing nose bleeding episodes.

• Tumors
• Health conditions that damage blood vessels
• Blood conditions like anemia and leukemia
• Calcium deficiency
• Surgery; especially on the nose or throat

Home Remedies for Nosebleeds

Since some kinds of nosebleeds are not serious, they can be treated at home following simple home remedies and tips.

When you notice you are bleeding from your nose, do the following before you consult your doctor if it was triggered by underlying health conditions or other serious factors.

Stay Calm

This is the first approach to managing nosebleeds. Panicking when you see blood trickling out of your nose will only cause the bleeding to increase.

Sit or Stand with Your Head Straight

When you notice that your nose is bleeding, do not try to throw your head backward to return the blood into your nose. Rather sit up straight without bending your head backward or forward, and do not tilt your head sideways either.

Lean Forward

This will help drain the blood that may have lodged at the back of the throat.

Place Pressure on Your Nose

While leaning forward, try to place pressure on your nose by pinching your nostrils together using both your index finger and thumb, then breathe through your mouth.

This will block the ruptured nasal blood vessel from pouring out more blood. Leave your nostrils pinched for up to 15 minutes.

Ice Packs

You can set ice packs on your nose to constrict the blood vessels in your nose and stop them from bleeding.

How Do I Prevent Nosebleed?

• Avoid forcefully blowing your nose. Try to always blow your nose gently and with clean tissue to prevent bursting your nasal blood vessels.
• Avoid picking your nose with sharp objects
• Eat calcium-rich foods
• Dab your nose with saline nasal drops
• Run humidifiers in your room to get rid of dry air
• Avoid medications that can increase your risk of suffering from nosebleed
• Whenever you want to sneeze, open your mouth and sneeze through your mouth. Sneezing through your nose can cause your nasal blood vessels to burst and bleed
• Avoid allergens that can irritate your nasal cavity
• Visit the hospital for proper medical attention if you have any underlying health condition that may trigger nosebleeds
• Quit smoking
• Protect your head and face whenever you engage in activities that may expose you to head or nose injuries. In other words, wear protective clothing for such activities.

Natural Remedies for Preventing Nosebleeds

• Eat Vitamin K-rich foods. They help protect and prevent blood vessels from rupturing.
• Add vitamin C-rich foods to your diet. These foods help you build stronger blood vessels that can withstand pressure.
• Drinking nettle herb regularly can help eliminate allergies and protect you from the effects of allergies.
• Consider including cayenne pepper in your diet because they are effective at regulating blood flow.
• Drink lots of water to prevent your mucous membranes from drying out
• Apple cider vinegar is loaded with effects that are effective at constricting blood vessels upon any trauma to the nose, face, or head
• Saline water, just like water, adds moisture to your nasal cavity and prevents it from drying out

Conclusion

Nosebleeds are normal and can happen to anybody. The mild ones can be treated at home, but when they are triggered by severe factors like medication, chronic health conditions, or severe trauma to the head, they require quick medical attention.

Rather than waiting for a nosebleed to happen to you, there are some preventive measures you can follow to avoid the experience.