Having a nosebleed is no fun. They often strike at inopportune times and can be quite difficult to control. You may end up walking around with tissue shoved in your nose, hoping to catch the blood before it splatters everywhere.
What causes the nosebleeds? High blood pressure, medications, and dry air that you're breathing can all contribute to the problem. If you have frequent nosebleeds, see your doctor to figure out the cause. In the meantime, the next time you have a gusher, remember these dos and don'ts of handling a nosebleed.
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Dos
1. Lean forward. If you're suffering from a bloody nose, the Mayo Clinic says to sit upright. This keeps from adding more pressure to the blood vessels in your nose. If you lean forward, you won't end up swallowing the blood, which can make some people nauseous.
1. Lean forward. If you're suffering from a bloody nose, the Mayo Clinic says to sit upright. This keeps from adding more pressure to the blood vessels in your nose. If you lean forward, you won't end up swallowing the blood, which can make some people nauseous.
2. Spray decongestant. The University of Michigan Health System recommends spraying a nasal decongestant like Afrin into the side that's bleeding. Afrin contains oxymetazoline which may help stop the bleeding.
3. Pinch nose. Another good thing to do is to pinch the nose for 10 minutes, according to Good Health Nigeria. You can use an ice pack, too, to help constrict the blood vessels.
4. Coat with petroleum jelly. A great preventive tip offered by WebMD is to coat the inside of your nose with petroleum jelly. This keeps the tissue moist so it's not prone to crack and bleed.
Don'ts
1. Pack with cotton. The University of Michigan Health System reminds people to avoid packing their noses with tissue or cotton or anything else. This will often just make the bleeding worse.
1. Pack with cotton. The University of Michigan Health System reminds people to avoid packing their noses with tissue or cotton or anything else. This will often just make the bleeding worse.
2. Tilt head back. Good Health Nigeria says to not tilt your head back as this will cause you to swallow the blood. For many, this may make them sick to the stomach and cause them to vomit which may cause the nose to start bleeding again.
3. Perform strenuous physical activity. Because strenuous physical activity raises blood pressure, WebMD recommends that you don't do any until the nose has fully healed. The University of Michigan Health System actually recommends waiting two weeks before doing any heavy lifting or chores like vacuuming.
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Stopping a nosebleed and getting your nose to heal doesn't have to be super complicated. It really takes a little know-how and patience.