how to postition yourself when you have a nosebleed

Nosebleeds (“epistaxis” in medical lingo) occur most often in children probably because the most common cause is trauma associated with nose-picking. Other common causes include dryness and irritation which is why nosebleeds occur a lot in winter.

In the same way that our skin becomes quite dry in the winter, so too do our nasal passages. The nasal passage is lined with tiny blood vessels just under the delicate surface that lines the inner nose. Given the frequency of upper respiratory infections such as colds and sinus infections, these passages become easily inflammed and irritated causing minute tears. Who hasn’t experineced the painful cracking of skin inside the nose from constantly blowing your nose when you have a cold?

Preventing Nosebleeds

So what’s the best way to prevent a nose bleed? First, get some humidity into the air. This can be done using a humidifier (follow instructions on care and maintenance to prevent mold build-up) or simply placing pots of water on top of wood stoves, radiators or bedroom dressers – not particularly sophisticated but effective so who cares?

Secondly, use normal saline nasal sprays to keep the delicate membranes that line the nose moist. Alternatively, a little dab of vaseline inside your nose at bedtime also helps keep the passages from cracking.

What to do if you get a nosebleed

If you do get a nosebleed, squeeze the soft part of the nose for a minimum of 5 minutes up to a maximum of 20 minutes. Don’t stop every few minutes to check if your nose has stopped bleeding – continuous pressure is needed! Sit leaning forward to avoid swallowing the blood and possibly vomiting. Ice packs on the back of the neck or bridge of the nose may help.

If all else fails, a potent vasoconstrictor such as Afrin or Neo-Synephirine, used as directed may stop the bleeding. Seek medical care if you are:

• Elderly or you become dizzy or faint from blood loss
• If you’ve been unable to stop the bleeding after a reasonable length of time
• If bleeding is coming from BOTH nostrils (indicates the source of the bleed is farther up the nose which is harder to control)
• If you have any bleeding disorders or you’re on blood thinners

Remember, nose bleeds are common in winter but in the vast majority of people, easy to prevent and control.

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