Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: First aid for a nosebleed
• Method 2 of 3: Prevent a nosebleed
• Method 3 of 3: Understand a nosebleed better
• Tips

A nosebleed, in medical terms called epistaxis, is a common complaint that often occurs spontaneously. A nosebleed occurs when the inside of the nose is dry or broken. Because the small blood vessels then break, a bleeding occurs. Almost always the blood from the blood vessels comes from the front part of the septum, which is in the middle and separates both nostrils.People with allergies, sinusitis, high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder are more likely to suffer from a nosebleed. Understanding the causes of a nosebleed better and what to do when it affects you will make it easier to deal with a nosebleed.

To step

Method 1 of 3: First aid for a nosebleed

1. Adopt the correct attitude. If the nosebleed isn't caused by a serious problem, you can use first aid at home to stop the bleeding. First sit down, because that is more comfortable than standing. Tilt your head forward so that the blood can escape through the nostrils.
   • You can hold a towel under your nose to catch the blood.
   • Do not lie down, or the blood will get into your throat.
2. Pinch your nose. Pinch your nose just below where the bone ends, making sure to block the nostrils completely. By squeezing here, you put pressure on where the blood vessels are damaged. This stops the bleeding. Pinch the nose for 10 minutes and then let go.
   • If the bleeding hasn't stopped, pinch your nose for another 10 minutes.
   • While doing this, breathe through your mouth.
3. Cool it down. By lowering your body temperature, less blood flows to your nose. To do this, put a few ice cubes in your mouth. This way you lower your body temperature faster than if you were to keep ice on the outside of your nose. It also keeps your body cool for longer.
   • This is more effective than a cold compress on your nose. A cold compress does not seem to work very well, according to recent research.
   • You can also eat an ice cream for the same result.
4. Use a nasal spray with xymetazoline (such as Otrivin). If you often have nosebleeds, you can use a nasal spray, provided you don't have high blood pressure. This spray shrinks the blood vessels in the nose. Spray some of the nasal spray on a cotton ball and put this cotton ball in your nostril. Continue to pinch the nostrils and check after 10 minutes to see if the bleeding has stopped.
   • Once the bleeding has stopped, leave the cotton in it for another hour or it may start to bleed again.
   • If you use this remedy too often, more than 3-4 times a day, you can become addicted to it and your nose will become more and more congested.
   • Use this method if the bleeding won't stop with squeezing alone.
5. Wash your nose and rest. When the bleeding has stopped, wash your nose and everything around it with warm water. When your face is clean, you should rest for a while. This prevents your nose from bleeding again immediately.
   • Now you can lie down if you want.

Method 2 of 3: Prevent a nosebleed

1. Be careful with your nose. Because a nosebleed can be caused by personal action, there are some precautions you can take to prevent a nosebleed from now on. Don't pick your nose. Picking can break the delicate blood vessels in your nose. You can also loosen crusts from previous damage and cause it to bleed again. Keep your mouth open if you have to sneeze so that you don't put too much pressure on your nose.
   • Keep the inside of your nose moist by rubbing some Vaseline or nasal gel twice a day with a cotton swab.
   • Always blow your nose very gently and do one nostril at a time.
   • Also cut children's nails short so they don't get hurt.
2. Buy a humidifier. To increase the humidity in your home, you need to install a humidifier. You can also use it at work to prevent dryness, especially in winter.
   • If you don't have a humidifier, you can place a metal container of water on a radiator so that moisture gets into the air as it evaporates.
3. Eat more fiber. Constipation can lead to hard stools, which can increase pressure on the blood vessels in the nose when you are on the toilet. Constipation can be prevented by eating more fiber and drinking more water.
4. Eat more fiber to keep stools soft. Try not to apply too much pressure when you have to defecate, as this can tear the tiny blood vessels in the nose.
   • It is more effective to eat 6 to 12 plums a day than to take special dietary fibers to avoid constipation.
   • Avoid foods that are too spicy. The heat can expand the blood vessels and cause the nose to bleed.
5. Use a saline nasal spray. Nasal saline spray can be used several times a day to keep the inside of the nose moist. These types of nasal sprays are not addictive as they only contain salt. If you don't want to buy it, you can easily make it yourself.
   • To make it yourself, take a clean container. Mix 3 heaped teaspoons of sea salt and 1 level teaspoon of baking soda. Mix both powders together. Then take 1 teaspoon of this mixture and add it to 250 ml of boiled or distilled water. Stir well.
6. Eat more flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural chemicals found in citrus fruits that can strengthen capillaries. Therefore, eat more citrus fruits. Other foods high in flavonoids include parsley, onions, blueberries and other berries, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, bananas, Ginkgo biloba, red wine, sea buckthorn and dark chocolate (with a minimum of 70% cocoa).
   • Do not take a flavonoid supplement, such as gingko biloba, grape seed extract, or flaxseed, as they contain too high levels of flavonoids, which can be toxic.

Method 3 of 3: Understand a nosebleed better

1. Know what types of nosebleeds there are. The type of nosebleed you have depends on the cause. A bleeding in the nose is usually harmless and easy to treat yourself. But you can also have bleeding in the back of the nose, also called a posterior nosebleed, that often needs to be treated by an ENT specialist. There are also spontaneous nosebleeds for no apparent cause.
2. Know the cause. There are many possible causes for a nosebleed. If you have one, you should always assess what you think is the cause so that you can avoid the situation in the future. You can get a nosebleed from injuries you do to yourself, such as picking your nose. This is the most common cause in children. Other causes include drug use such as cocaine, blood vessel disorder, blood clots, and head or face injuries.
   • Environmental factors such as low humidity, which is especially common in winter, can also cause irritation and bleeding. Nosebleeds are more common in winter.
   • Infections to the nose and sinuses can also cause nosebleeds. Allergies can also inflame the mucous membrane in the nose, which can lead to a nosebleed.
   • In rare cases, a nosebleed occurs in children who have a migraine attack.
   • Injuries to the face can also cause nosebleeds.
3. Avoid certain situations. If you have a nosebleed, you should avoid certain situations and actions that make it worse. Don't lean back. This can cause blood to run into your throat, making you vomit. Also stop talking or coughing. This can irritate the nasal mucosa and cause it to bleed again.
   • If you have to sneeze while you have a nosebleed, try to let as much air out through your mouth as possible so that your nose doesn't hurt and bleed even more.
   • Don't pick your nose, especially if the bleeding subsides. You can scrape open scabs and cause it to bleed again.
4. Go to the doctor. There are certain situations in which you should call the doctor. If the bleeding is very severe, more than a few drops, lasts longer than 30 minutes, or returns very often, you should see the doctor. Also, get medical help if you suddenly become very pale, tired, or disoriented. This can happen if you have lost a lot of blood.
   • If you have trouble breathing, especially if you have a lot of blood in your throat, you should also see your doctor. This can lead to irritation and coughing. There is also more chance of an infection, which can eventually lead to breathing problems.
   • Always see a doctor if the nosebleed is the result of a serious accident.
   • Also see a doctor if you have a nosebleed while taking blood clot medications such as dabigatran, clopidogrel, or aspirin.

Tips

• Do not smoke if you often have nosebleeds. Smoking irritates your nose and dries out your mucous membranes.
• Do not use antiseptic creams, as many people are hypersensitive to them, and they can make inflammation worse. Only use a cream with bacitracin if your doctor has prescribed it if you have inflamed scabs in your nose.
• Stay calm. Staying calm will prevent you from spinning or passing out.
• Remember to keep your nose moist, eat healthy and don't put your fingers in your nose!
• Don't panic if you see a lot of blood, it always looks worse than it is. A large part of it is just other liquid that is in your nose. We have a lot of blood vessels in our nose!