Meta Description: Picking your nose too much can cause nosebleeds, especially when the air is dry. Read on to find out how to stop a nosebleed.
A nosebleed, technically called epistaxis, can be scary. The sight of blood coming out of your nostrils is not a pleasant one. However, nosebleeds are mostly not serious and can be stopped with some simple tricks.
Causes of Nosebleeds
A nosebleed may occur due to many reasons. Dry air causes the lining of your nose to become dehydrated and crusty. As a result, you get a nosebleed when you pick, scratch, or blow your nose too hard.
Sometimes, a nosebleed can be caused by your medication. When you insert an object into the nose, it can also lead to injury.
How to Treat Nosebleeds
If you get a nosebleed once in a while, you can treat it at home. In case of frequent nosebleeds, you should see a doctor. You can follow some simple steps to stop a nosebleed at home:
- Sit in an upright position. Lying down can lead the blood to your throat.
- Lean forward keeping your head titled slightly forward.
- Breathe through your mouth. Avoid breathing through the nose.
- Blow the nose gently to remove any clots of blood.
- Use a tissue or a damp cloth to clean the blood coming out of your nose.
- Pinch your nostrils shut by squeezing the lower part of your nose between your thumb and forefinger. Do not apply pressure on the bony part of the nose, only the soft part.
- Keep your nostrils pinched close for five minutes. You can keep it this way for ten minutes if the bleeding does not stop.
- If pinching does not stop the bleeding, inserting a medicated gauze in the nostril and keeping it there for 10 minutes also works.
- You can use an ice pack to cover the bridge to stop the bleeding. Cover the ice pack with a towel.
- Try not to strain yourself after suffering a nosebleed. Don't rub or blow your nose vigorously.
In Closing
You can stop a nosebleed with the above steps. If these do not work, or you get nosebleeds frequently, check with your doctor. If the bleeding occurs after an injury, it could be the result of a broken nose. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor.
FAQs
- How to quickly stop a nosebleed at home?
To stop a nosebleed, apply pressure to the nose by pinching the nostrils shut using the index finger and thumb for 5-10 minutes.
- What causes nosebleeds?
Dry air can cause the nasal lining to become dehydrated and crusty. This causes frequent bleeds while rubbing or blowing the nose.
- What are the most common causes of a nosebleed?
Nosebleeds can be caused by chronic sinusitis, allergies, bleeding disorders, or certain medications.
- When should I see a doctor in case of a nosebleed?
If the person has frequent nosebleeds, a lot of blood is coming out of the nose, the person is feeling dizzy, or has met with an accident, immediately consult a doctor.
- Are nosebleeds serious?
No, nosebleeds are generally non-serious. They can indicate other problems if the bleeding is heavy or frequent.