A 'nose' for nosebleed treatments
There are two classifications of nosebleeds: anterior and posterior. An anterior nosebleed happens when the vessels in front of the nose break and bleed. These are usually triggered through extensive nose blowing when sick and attribute to 90 percent of the total diagnosed nosebleeds. On the other hand, posterior nosebleeds stem from the back or deepest part of the nose. Because bleeding occurs deep down, this can cause blood to flow down the throat, which could be dangerous for your health.
There are many causes of nosebleeds. If a nosebleed is sudden or infrequent, there is no cause for immediate alarm. However, frequent nosebleeds might be a cause of concern because it could be an indication of an underlying health problem like leukemia.
One of the most common causes of nosebleed is dry air. This can dry out the nasal membranes, which refer to the tissues inside the nose. Dry air can lead to crusting inside the nose, which could break when scratched or picked at. This causes bleeding. Other potential causes of nosebleeding include the following chronic cold or sinus problems, allergies, nose injuries, nose picking, and objects placed into the nose.
Most nosebleeds, especially anterior ones, don't require a lot of medical attention and often heal on its own over time. However, it is still recommended to visit a specialist when a nosebleed continues for a very long time.
Treatment
When treating a nosebleed, it is essential to stay calm and collected. You wouldn't want to spray blood everywhere. Here are a few steps you can follow for an easy way to stop a nosebleed:
- Sit down and lean forward to allow the blood to exit the nose and drip downward. Always keep your head above your heart.
- After, blow out any mucus you may have in your nose. Do this gently to prevent more bleeding.
- Pinch the soft part of your nose with your thumb and your index finger. Continue to add pressure for the next five minutes while breathing through your mouth.
- Once the five minutes are up, let go of the nose to check for bleeding. You can repeat this process up to three more times
- Finally, apply a cold compress to the nose to reduce inflammation and prevent future bleeding.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, avoid doing things that could make your nose bleed again like blowing it or picking your nose.
There will also be times where this method will not work or if one desires a faster way to treat a nosebleed. Thankfully, there are plenty of home remedies you can try that are effective at putting a stop to nosebleeds. Here are a few of them:
- Ice. Ice can be used as a makeshift cold compress to constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation. You can place crushed ice into a plastic zipper bag and cover it with a clean towel. Hold down the bag on your nose until the bleeding stops.
- Orange juice. Orange juice is jam-packed with vitamin C that is essential for the formation of collagen. This collagen allows the body to create a moist lining in the nose, preventing the vessels from breaking easily.
- Acupuncture. Experts say that acupuncture can be a decent way to relieve mild nosebleeds. (Related: Naturally relieve a nosebleed with these potent acupressure points.)
Nosebleeds can be concerning due to the amount of blood. However, they can easily be prevented and treated with the proper knowledge and technique.
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