Everyone would have experienced nose bleeds at one point or another. It could be a tiny trickle, or a big gush, depending on the reason why your nose is bleeding in the first place. Your nose is a sensitive part of your body, and is lined with hundreds of blood vessels that are close to the surface. So these bleed when they are traumatized, they start to bleed.
Although most nose bleeds are infrequent and sudden, they can be rather scary when you’re experiencing it for the first time. On the other hand, frequent nose bleeds could be a symptom of a larger, more serious health issue. How serious is a nose bleed is determined by the frequency, location, and other such factors. A typical nose bleed could last anywhere between a few seconds and more than 10 minutes.
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Symptoms of nose bleeds
Some of the common symptoms of nose bleeds are:
- Blood dripping from one or both nostrils
- Blocked feeling in the nasal passages
- Feeling of the presence of fluid at the back of the nose or throat
- Difficulty in breathing
- Feeling of choking on a fluid
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Some severe symptoms of nose bleeds include:
- Nasal deformity
- Vision problems
- Numbness in face
- Fainting spells
- Swelling in nose and cheeks
- High fever accompanied by chills
- Difficulty in hearing
Causes of nose bleeds
The main causes for a nose bleed include:
- Dry air
- Nose blowing
- Allergies
- Sneezing
- Upper respiratory infections
- Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis
- Alcohol abuse
- Dry heat
- Nasal surgery
- Frequent nose picking
- High blood pressure
- Common cold
- Vascular formation in nasal passage
- Tumor formation in nasal passage
- Formation of nasal polyps
- Excessive use of nasal sprays
- Altitude change
- Blood thinning medications
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy
- Exposure to chemical irritants like ammonia
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Blood clotting disorders
- Cancer
Home remedies for nose bleed
As frightening as a nose bleed can be, it is not exactly a serious problem. There are effective home remedies for nose bleed that stem the bleeding and help you breathe easily. Let’s take a look.
1. Lean forward
Yes, you may tend to lean back in order to stem the nose bleed, but that is the wrong thing to do, as it lets the blood run back into the sinuses and throat. Plus, this can cause gagging or inhaling of blood. Also, spit out any blood that may have collected in your throat and mouth. It may cause nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting if swallowed. Blow out any blood clots or residual blood in your nose.
2. Pinch your nose
Pinch the soft parts of your with your thumb and index finger, and press back towards your face, so that the pinched parts are compressed against your facial bones. Breathe normally through your mouth as you do this. Hold this position for at least 5 minutes, to stem the bleeding.
Pro tip: Do NOT lie down on your back, or tilt your head back, or put your head in between your knees.
3. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar is a very effective remedy to stop nose bleeds quickly. Not only does it protect your body from excessive blood loss, it also helps seal the broken blood vessel too.
Remedies
- Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it lightly inside the bleeding nostril. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped.
- Mix 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water, and drink it thrice a day to prevent frequent nose bleeds.
Pro tip: You can follow the first remedy using distilled white vinegar too.
4. Cayenne
Cayenne works as a cell stimulant, and also regulates the blood flow pressure. It removes the heavy pressure from the hemorrhaging area.
Remedies
- Eat foods that have been spiced with cayenne pepper regularly to prevent nose bleeds
- Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder to a cup of warm water and drink it. This helps stop the nose bleed.
- Another option is to ingest cayenne capsules, but only after consulting a doctor for the right dosage.
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5. Cold compress
A cold compress is a common home remedy to stop a nose bleed. The cold temperature is beneficial in causing the blood vessels to constrict faster, thereby slowing the blood flow. This will help in stopping the bleeding within a few minutes.
Remedy
- Put a few ice cubes in a soft, thin towel, and wrap it tightly. Place this cold compress on the bridge of your nose while sitting upright with your head tilted back. Keep the cold compress on for about 5-10 minutes, to stem the bleeding effectively. Repeat this remedy as needed.
Pro tip: Do not put ice cubes directly on your nose, though.
6. Coriander
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Coriander is a highly recommended home remedy to stop nose bleeds, all thanks to its cooling and soothing nature. Also, it’s a natural anti-histamine, which makes it effective in warding off many allergies that may cause nose bleeds.
Remedies
- Put a few drops of coriander oil or fresh coriander juice in your nostrils to stop the bleeding very quickly.
- Make a paste using a handful of coriander leaves, and apply it on your forehead. The nose bleed will stop quickly, thanks to the cooling effect of the coriander paste.
7. Holy basil
An effective remedy for nose bleeds, mainly used in traditional medicine, holy basil possesses many wonderful properties that help soothe the afterburn for a nose bleed.
Remedies
- Extract the juice from a handful of holy basil leaves, and put 2-3 drops of it in each nostril, to stop the bleeding quickly.
- Chew a few holy basil leaves thoroughly, to calm your body, which then stops the bleeding.
8. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps in stemming nose bleeds caused by infections. Also, the high citric acid content in it helps strengthen the blood capillaries inside the nose too.
Remedy
- Using a clean dropper, put a few drops of fresh lemon juice in each nostril, while keeping your head tilted back.
9. Nettle
Nettle is an effective home remedy for nose bleeds, largely thanks to its astringent properties, that help promote clotting, thereby stopping the blood flow. Additionally, it helps strengthen capillaries and is also beneficial in treating allergies, due to which nose bleeds occur.
Remedies
- Inhaling dry and powdered nettle leaves is known to be effective.
- Extract the juice from a handful of nettle leaves and put a few drops of this into each nostril to stop the bleeding soon.
- If you’re prone to nose bleeds due to dry heat during summer months, drink 1 or 2 cups of nettle tea every day.
10. Onion
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Onion is a great clotting agent, that is highly effective in stemming a nose bleed. The natural fumes emanating from a cut onion helps clot the blood.
Remedies
- Slice 1 onion into thick slices, and press a couple of slices under your nose, inhaling the fumes. Within minutes, the nose bleed will stop.
- Extract fresh onion juice in a blender, and put 2-3 drops of this into each nostril will help stem the nose bleed quickly. Repeat this remedy as needed.
11. Petroleum jelly
Nose bleeds caused during dry months can be made better using petroleum jelly to keep the insides of your nostrils moist. Petroleum jelly is highly moisturizing, which helps keep the nasal passages hydrated.
Remedy
- Take some petroleum jelly on your finger and apply it on the inside of your nose. Repeat this remedy several times a day to keep your nose hydrated.
Pro tip: Do not use too much petroleum jelly at one go to avoid the risk of inhaling or swallowing it.
12. Saline water
If your nasal membranes become too dry, especially during winter, is one of the most common causes for nose bleeds. To soothe and moisturize irritated nasal membranes, use saline water.
Remedies
- Use a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages hydrated.
- To half a cup of water, add a pinch of salt and stir well, till the salt dissolves. Put a few drops of this homemade saline solution into your nostrils to moisten your nasal passages.
13. Steam
Steam is one of the most effective home remedies for nose bleed, and its effectiveness is greater if a person suffers from chronic nose bleeds that are caused by low humidity.
Remedy
- Boil half a pan of water and cover it with a lid. Cover your head halfway through, and carefully open the pan and inhale the steam rising out of it. Do this till there is no steam left. Be careful of the scalding pan though. You don’t want to burn your skin.
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Additional tips
- When you’re having a nose bleed, do not lie down flat on your back. Keep your head elevated instead, and above your heart. Try and breathe normally through your mouth.
- Using a humidifier in your room keeps the air from becoming too dry.
- Drink ample amounts of water every day to keep your mucous membranes moist.
- Take a warm shower and breathe in the rising steam.
- Do not smoke since it irritates and dries out the nasal passages.
- Eat foods that are rich in vitamin C and vitamin K to stop nose bleeds.
- Avoid fried and spicy foods.
These are all the natural home remedies for nose bleed that are effective. The next time your nose starts leaking, do not panic, but try these natural remedies and find relief.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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