Sudden irritation or dryness in the nose can be quite uncomfortable. This often leads to nose-picking, which can further damage the nasal lining and even cause bleeding. But the question is, why does it happen, and how can it be prevented or managed? To answer the same, the OnlyMyHealth team spoke with Dr P Venkata Krishnan, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram.
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Common Causes Of Dry Bleeding Nose
“A bleeding, dry nose occurs when the interior of your nose becomes too dry or irritated,” explained Dr Krishnan, adding that frequent causes are cold, dry air, picking your nose, allergies, infections, or excessive use of nasal sprays.
Other factors are low humidity, indoor heating, and pollution, which can also dry out the inside of your nose and make it more likely to bleed.
Allergies and environmental dryness are also some of the main causes of nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis. According to StatPearls Publishing, nosebleed is one of the most common ear, nose, and throat emergencies in the emergency department or the primary care clinic. It is rarely fatal and accounts for only four of the 20.4 lakh million deaths in the United States.
Safe Ways To Treat Dry Bleeding Nose
To control a bleeding nose at home, Dr Krishnan recommended sitting up and leaning forward slightly. “Pinch the soft tissue of your nose tightly for 10 minutes without releasing. Mouth breathing is helpful during this process. Putting a cold pack on the nose or the back of the neck also helps slow down bleeding by constricting blood vessels,” he advised.
These techniques work by applying pressure to the site that is bleeding and constricting blood flow, he said.
How Humidifiers Help Prevent Dry Nose
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps prevent it from becoming too dry. When the air is dry, it can make the inside of your nose feel dry and irritated, sometimes even leading to small cracks and nosebleeds.
Using a humidifier, especially during winter or in air-conditioned rooms, can help keep the air around you more comfortable and your nasal passages naturally moist. Regular use can go a long way in keeping your nose healthy, hydrated, and less prone to irritation or bleeding.
Home Remedies To Try
While severe irritation and inflammation should be treated under medical supervision and with proper medications, home remedies can help to soothe the dryness and bleeding.
According to Dr Krishnan, using neutral oils like coconut oil and almond oil can help soothe dry nasal passages in a safe way. “These neutral oils are gentle and seal in moisture, forming a protective barrier that keeps dryness and irritation away,” he said.
He instructed, “Apply a little coconut or almond oil inside each nostril with a clean cotton swab. Use neutral oils, but not essential oils, since essential oils are irritating to nasal tissues. A useful remedy is saline nasal spray, which provides moisture with no side effects. Steam inhalation also works; it moisturises the nasal passages naturally and helps in recovery.”
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Conclusion
Research suggests nosebleeds are usually not alarming. However, it is crucial to address frequent or severe nosebleeds that need to be addressed seriously and may require medical attention. Dr Krishnan shared that if nosebleeds occur more than every seven days, last longer than 20 minutes, or follow trauma, one should seek a medical professional's advice. “These nosebleeds might be an indication of developing health issues. They could signal high blood pressure, bleeding disorders or, in some instances, even tumours. Repeated nosebleeds can also be caused by blood-thinning medication or blood clotting problems.”
It is important to visit the doctor to find out the real reason and get the proper treatment. Early medical attention can avoid complications and make sure that any severe underlying condition responsible for the nosebleeds gets treated in a timely manner, the doctor concluded.