Besides from an injury, nosebleeds can be caused by low humidity in your home or office, colds and allergies, low levels of vitamin K, chronic sinusitis, medications (especially aspirin and blood thinners), high altitudes, excessive heat and blowing or picking the nose, and is a possible symptom of hypertension.


Steps

1. If you are prone to nosebleeds, check the humidity in your house, and increase it to the normal range. Keep the heat low (60-64 degrees) in your bedroom.
2. Keep nostrils moist. Take a shower and breathe deeply to get moisture into your nose. Then put petroleum jelly on the inside of the nose to keep it moist. A saline solution spray will also help.
3. Limit blood thinners. Aspirin, vitamin E, Coumadin, heparin, garlic, ginger and ginseng are blood thinners. If you must use blood thinners, inform your doctor about the nosebleeds.
4. Daily consumption of citrus fruit can help eliminate recurring nosebleeds. The bioflavonoids (a class of antioxidants) found in the fruit, seem to help with the prevention. Bioflavonoids help strengthen the blood vessels which makes them less likely to rupture. Take 500 mg of bioflavonoids twice a day if you do not eat several servings of fruit daily.
5. Avoid foods that may give you a severe allergic reaction, such as milk and wheat.
6. Putting a few drops of castor oil, vitamin E or zinc oxide in your nose each day will prevent recurring nosebleeds.
7. Avoid spicy foods and fried foods.
8. Don't scratch your nose very hard, especially if the inside is sensitive, or your nose is very dry.

Tips

• First words of wisdom: "Don't lie down!" Always keep your head elevated and above your heart. Breathe through your mouth.
• Sit up straight and tip your head slightly forward. Tilting the head back may cause the blood to run down the throat.
• Stay quiet for a few hours after the bleeding has stopped as exertion may cause the bleeding to start again.
• Before you try to stop the nosebleed, blow your nose hard. This will remove any clots which are keeping the blood vessel open. After getting the clot out the elastic fibers surrounding the vessel will contract around the tiny opening.
• Don't blow your nose for at least twelve hours after the bleeding has stopped.
• Use an ice pack on the nose. Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow, swelling and inflammation.
• An ice pack or cold compress on the back of the neck is another remedy. Pressure on the back of the neck restricts flow of blood to the head.
• Press your finger between your lip and gum, pressing upward against the nose. Variations of this remedy are to place a rolled up piece of a brown paper bag, paper towel or gauze, a dime, or a tree leaf in the same position. There is a blood vessel that runs under the upper lip, and these techniques cut down the blood flow and allow the blood to clot.
• Using almost the same technique as above, press the outside of the upper lip just below the nose with your thumb and forefinger and hold for several minutes. This is a vital acupressure point in traditional Chinese medicine.
• For some, pinching the bridge of the nose helps close off the blood vessels. Using a cold compress or ice helps, as the blood vessels constrict faster. This should stop the bleeding in 3-5 minutes.
• After your nosebleed has stopped, use a cotton swab to apply an antibiotic ointment to the inside of your nose. This will kill bacteria and keep your nose moist. Reapply several times, especially before bedtime, for several days.

Warnings

• Call your doctor:
• If you have blood flowing from both nostrils.
• If the bleeding hasn't stopped after 30 minutes of pressure.
• If blood runs down the back of your throat even when the nose is pinched.
• If the nose is deformed from an injury.
• If nosebleeds reoccur several times during the day, or for several days in succession. This could be a symptom of a serious underlying ailment.
• If blood comes from the corner of your eye (tear duct).
• If you also experience chronic nasal blockage.