Nosebleeds are caused by everything from nose picking and foreign objects to dry air and medications. They’re rarely serious but they are always a nuisance, especially if you’re one of the millions of Americans that suffer from nosebleeds on a regular basis.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the prevalence of nosebleeds and keep those risk factors to a minimum. These include:
Stop Picking Your Nose!
We can see you, shaking your head dismissively, pretending you don’t pick your nose and preparing to skip this tip—but we know you do it because everyone does it! It’s a habit that we all have, but it’s something that some people do more than others.
Kids tend to pick their noses out of habit and it’s a habit that they don’t always grow out of. If you spend a lot of time indoors, you may have more hard mucus than normal, leading to a build-up that you just have to pick.
Experts recommend that you use saline nasal sprays, humidifiers, and other solutions instead of picking your nose. Even just taking regular hot baths and showers can help, as it will soften the mucus and allow you to remove it with a tissue.
If you are going to pick your nose, make sure your nails are clean and trimmed, and be gentle!
Avoid Cold and Dry Air
Nosebleeds are more common in winter, as the cold and dry air sucks the moisture out of the mucus membranes, leaving the nasal lining dry, damaged, and prone to ruptures.
If you’re constantly moving from the cold outdoors to the dry and artificial heating indoors, your nose will suffer.
Use a saline nasal spray to keep your nose moist and if that doesn’t work, pick up a humidifier to inject some moisture into the air.
Blow Your Nose Gently
Blowing your nose too hard could rupture the fine and delicate blood vessels. You will need to blow every now and then, but just remember to do it lightly and don’t apply too much force.
You’re trying to expel mucus, not blow a hole in the tissue.
Take it Easy
Contrary to popular belief, stress is not a direct trigger for nosebleeds, but it can indirectly increase the risk. Illegal drug use, excessive caffeine consumption, and even alcohol can also increase your risk.
It goes without saying that you’ll also be more prone to nosebleeds if you partake in combat sports. You can’t really ask your opponent not to punch you in the face, but you can increase your protection and have some Nampons on standby.
Speak with your Doctor
Last but not least, have a word with your doctor as you may have an issue that makes you more predisposed. This could include everything from a deviated septum to the use of blood thinner medications. If it’s the latter, there’s probably nothing you can do about it, as you shouldn’t stop taking your meds just to avoid the occasional nosebleed.
In such cases, your doctor may recommend keeping some Nampons on standby. Nampons are little swabs that contain a blood-clotting agent. They can be inserted into your nostrils to gently and quickly stop a nosebleed.
