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Dear Cassie:
It can be a pretty shocking sight: One moment, your nose feels a little runny, and the next thing
you know there's blood gushing out of it! In most cases, though, you're in no emergency. But let's
explore why it pays to avoid panicking.
Most nosebleeds come from the front of your nose, where there are capillaries, or tiny blood
vessels, that can break or bleed pretty easily. You'll find the most common trigger for this
bleeding all around you when you breathe dry or heated indoor air. This air can irritate and dry
out your nasal membranes, creating a crusty lining that'll itch and bleed when picked. Colds,
viruses and allergy medications can also irritate the interior of your nose. And it doesn't help
that all the sniffling they cause can make you want to blow your nose a whole lot--yet another
high-stress situation for your poor, sickly schnoz!
Instead of just going with the flow during a nosebleed, quickly grab some tissues to soak up
the blood and sit or stand so that your head is above your heart. Then tilt your head forward and
pinch your nostrils together just below the bony middle portion of your nose. Steady pressure will
help stop the rush of blood and, after about ten minutes, will halt the nosebleed all together.
Finally, apply ice wrapped in a cloth or paper towel around the affected area. And don't forget to
relax; after all that you and your nose deserve to breathe a little easier.
Signed,
Wendell
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