Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Increase the humidity
• Method 2 of 3: Soften dry mucous membranes
• Method 3 of 3: Treat your nosebleed
• Tips

Having a nosebleed is embarrassing and also very annoying. People often get a nosebleed, especially during the cold, dry winter months. This means that one of the best ways to prevent nosebleeds is to keep the mucous membranes in your nose from drying out.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Increase the humidity

1. Use a humidifier. You can use a humidifier with cold water or a vaporizer. When the air is very dry, you will be able to prevent nosebleeds by increasing the humidity in any way. Using the humidifier at night will help you breathe and sleep more easily.
   • If you don't have a humidifier from the store, you can make your own by placing a pot of water on the heater in winter. The water will slowly evaporate over time, increasing the humidity.
2. Inhale the steam from a pot of boiling water. Boil a pot of water and then place it on the kitchen table with a thick cork coaster or pot holder underneath to protect the table from the heat. Hold your head over the pan and breathe in the steam. Just make sure you don't burn yourself. You can also use a towel and place it over the pan and your nose like a tent. This will allow you to inhale as much steam as possible.
   • You can also inhale the steam from a hot shower or bath, but the hot water can also dry you out, which is counterproductive. Take a hot shower and wash quickly so your skin doesn't dry out. Then step out from under the water jet or even out of the bath and breathe in the steam.
3. Sip a cup of tea. Drink slowly and inhale the steam. This will be both soothing and relaxing, and will help moisturize your nasal passages.
   • This works with all types of tea, soup and hot drinks. Choose something you like to make it as enjoyable as possible.
   • Drinking tea, soup and other liquids also keeps your body hydrated.
   • If you can use a kitchen at work or at school, you can use this method in places other than your own home.
4. Avoid dehydration. Staying hydrated also helps your body keep your skin supple and hydrated. It's easy to forget to drink enough water during the cold winter months, but even a dry cold dries out your body. How much water your body needs depends on the weather and how active you are. If your home heating produces dry heat, you may need more water in the winter. Look out for the following symptoms of dehydration:
   • Headache
   • Dry skin
   • Feeling light-headed
   • Little need to urinate, or have dark or cloudy urine

Method 2 of 3: Soften dry mucous membranes

1. Moisten your mucous membranes with a saline nasal spray. The active ingredients in this are ordinary salt and water. You can buy it without a prescription at the drugstore or pharmacy. When your nose feels dry, you can quickly spray it in your nose.
   • If the remedy is only salt and water, it is safe, will not irritate your mucous membranes and should not have any side effects. This comes in handy in the winter during the flu season. You can bring a small bottle of nasal spray with you to use at work and in the car. You can use it three times a day if needed.
   • Some commercially available nasal sprays contain preservatives that could irritate the mucous membranes in your nose. However, these preservatives also stunt the growth of bacteria and other pollutants. Check the ingredients on the packaging. If it contains preservatives or ingredients other than salt and water, be careful and do not use it more often than your doctor recommends or recommended on the package.
   • If you want to use a preservative-free nasal spray, find one that does not require flushing or that has a more acidic pH to reduce bacteria.
   • You can also make your own saline solution at home, but it can be difficult to determine the correct ratio between the salt and the water, which can cause dry sinuses. However, if you have no other choice, you can try making your own saline solution. Add a teaspoon of salt to a quart of water. Then boil it for 20 minutes to sterilize it.
2. Use a salt-based gel. It may be tempting to use an antibiotic ointment, but you should avoid using antibiotics too often. Colds and flu are usually caused by a virus and not bacteria, so antibiotics will have no effect. Instead, spread a thin layer of salt-based gel on the inside of your nose to keep it hydrated.
   • Use a clean cotton swab to apply the ointment. Apply a thin layer of ointment on the cotton swab and then apply it to the inside of your nostrils. Do not use so much of the product that it feels like your nose is blocked.
3. Soothe irritated mucous membranes with aloe vera gel. This is an excellent method if you suffer from sensitive mucous membranes after a cold. Aloe vera contains vitamins that will heal and nourish your skin. Use a clean cotton swab to apply it. There are two ways to get aloe vera:
   • Buy an over-the-counter aloe vera remedy from the store. You can also use this at work or at school.
   • Cut open the leaves of an aloe vera plant that you may have in your home. If you choose this method, cut the leaf lengthwise and use a cotton swab to apply the slimy gel you find in the leaf.
4. Do not apply petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or other greasy products (such as coconut oil) to the inside of your nose. You can get pneumonia if you breathe in small amounts of it and it ends up in your lungs.
   • If you do use a fat-based product, don't do this before going to sleep. Sit upright for several hours after application. Don't spread it further than 5mm into your nose.
   • Do not spread grease-based products on children's mucous membranes. Children are particularly prone to pneumonia.

Method 3 of 3: Treat your nosebleed

1. Take simple steps to stop bleeding. Most nosebleeds are not dangerous and will stop in minutes. You can make the bleeding stop faster by doing the following:
   • Apply pressure to the bleeding nostril. Pinch the nostril and breathe through your mouth. The pressure will cause the blood to clot and stop the bleeding. You may need to do this for 10 minutes or more. You can put a tissue in your nose to absorb the blood.
   • Sit up straight to keep your head above your heart. Do not lie down or tilt your head back as this will cause the blood to drip down the back of the throat. You can get an upset stomach if you swallow too much blood.
   • Put an ice pack on your nose to make the blood vessels contract. If you don't have an ice pack, you can also use a bag of frozen vegetables and wrap it in a towel.
   • You can also place an ice pack on your neck at the same time to cause the blood vessels going to the head to contract.
2. Go to the emergency room if your nosebleed could be a symptom of something serious. This could be the case if:
   • You have recently been injured or in an accident.
   • You lose a lot of blood.
   • You can't breathe.
   • The bleeding will not stop after 30 minutes or after you squeeze your nostril.
   • It concerns a child under 2 years old.
   • You get a nosebleed several times a week.
3. Get examined. The most common causes of nosebleeds are dry nose and nose picking. If not, your doctor can examine you for an underlying medical condition. There are a lot of different possible causes, such as:
   • Sinus infection
   • Allergies
   • Taking aspirin or blood thinners
   • Medical conditions that prevent your blood from clotting
   • Exposure to chemicals
   • Cocaine
   • Common cold
   • Deviation of the nasal septum
   • Overuse of nasal sprays
   • An object stuck in your nose
   • Rhinitis
   • An injury
   • Drinking alcohol
   • Polyps or tumors in the nose
   • An operation
   • Pregnancy

Tips

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Don't breathe through your mouth. The more you can breathe through your nose, the more moist the upper airways will remain.
• When out in the cold, wear a scarf over your nose and breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.