With the nose sitting in such an exposed place on your face, along with the fact that it is full of blood vessels, nosebleeds are not uncommon. Any trauma to the face or nose can precipitate a nosebleed, and nosebleeds can just happen on their own, the result of your nasal membranes becoming too dry and opening up. Nosebleeds can be scary, but they are usually easily controlled with the proper care. However, recurring nosebleeds can be a warning sign that something else is amiss, caused by such conditions as high blood pressure and bleeding disorders.
Your nose has a network of blood vessels going through it, with many located at the very tip of the nose. These fragile blood vessels are easily damaged, and when they are, a nosebleed is the consequence. Nosebleeds occur in the winter months more frequently, because the air is dry and warm in most houses because of inside heating systems. Dry climates also will cause an increased risk of nosebleeds, as the nasal membranes dry out and crust over, making it easier for them to crack open. There are medications that prevent normal blood clotting, such as coumadin, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs. If you are taking any of these regularly, you could be more susceptible to nosebleeds than others, with minimal trauma causing one. Antihistamines and decongestants that control allergies also dry out your nose, making it more vulnerable to bleeding. An anterior nosebleed is one that is coming from the front of the nose; a posterior nosebleed is coming from farther back in the nose. Posterior nosebleeds occur usually in older people, individuals with high blood pressure, or someone who has been hit in the face or the nose.
If you experience a nosebleed, stop the blood flow by pinching the soft parts of your nose together between your thumb and your index finger. Then press firmly towards your face, making sure that you keep the pinched portion of your nose against the bones of your face. Hold your nose for five minutes and the bleeding should stop. Avoid the temptation to keep checking if you have solved the problem and keep your head tilted forward. This keeps blood from flowing down into your throat, which could cause you to throw up. If the bleeding hasn’t subsided in five minutes, try the procedure again. Do not lay flat or put your head between your legs. Try to sit calmly and keep your head higher than the level your heart is at. If you lie down, make sure that your head is elevated.
Once you have controlled your nosebleed, rest with your head elevated for a while. Do not attempt to blow your nose or put anything into it, as this will just open up the area where the blood vessels were weak and cause more bleeding. If you feel the urge to sneeze, do so through your mouth and not your nose. Do not put yourself through anything that requires straining for a bit, including a bowel movement. Avoid smoking, and have no hot liquids for a full day after the incident. Stop taking any blood thinners that you may be on, and contact your physician to let them know that you are doing so. If you are the type of person who gets frequent nosebleeds, your doctor may have you use some form of lubricating oil, applied inside your nose, to keep the nasal membranes from drying and cracking.
Get to the doctor’s if your nosebleed cannot be stopped, or if there seems to be a large amount of blood loss. If you feel weakened or faint, have someone take you to the emergency room for a check-up. Nasal packs are sometimes used to control bad nosebleeds, as they are able to compress the blood vessels and put a stop to the problem. In rare cases, a doctor may have to use an instrument to cauterize the blood vessel with heat. Those who suffer from nosebleeds may find some relief by using a humidifier in the dry months to make the air less dry. A nosebleed can be unexpected and embarrassing, but knowing how and why they occur can certainly make them less frightening and more controllable in the future.
