The Inside of your nose is made up of a sensitive membrane with many blood vessels susceptible to bleeding as a result of a medical condition, picking, and even dirty air. Nose bleeds worry people largely because it is difficult to look inside your nose to see where it is coming from and due to how much bloods comes out at once.
There are two types of nose bleeds: Anterior that occur at the front of the nose and make up more than 90% of nosebleeds; posterior which are less common and happen in the back of the nose. Anterior nose bleeds can usually be stopped by pinching the nose for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Posterior nose bleeds may require medical attention as they are likely the result of a medical condition.
According to Jennifer Villwock, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat surgeon at the State University of New York’s Upstate Medical University, to try and stop a nose bleed you should “gently pinch the part of your nose at the spot where it starts to become soft. (Just below your nasal bones.) This will apply pressure to the bleeding vessels inside your nostrils, which helps the blood clot faster. Then tilt your head slightly forward at your neck. This way, the blood that’s already in your nose will pour out through your nostrils rather than down your throat.”
If the bleeding does not stop seek medical attention immediately.
What Are Some Causes of Nose Bleeds?
Environment plays a big role when it comes to nose bleeds. Those of us who lament winter months because of dry air (this author included) and the increase in frequency of nose bleeds understands that dry air is our enemy!
Dry air does more than damages the sensitive membrane inside of our nose, it also invites bacteria and viruses to enter our blood stream. A big reason we are more likely to get sick in the winter is because dry air causes cracks and tears on our skin, lips, and inside of our nose. The surfaces of our body are like a giant protective shield, that when broken, allows anything to invade.
So it makes sense then that if we breath in dirty air we are exposing the insides of our noses and whatever break or tears are present to airborne contaminates that will make us sick. There are of course other factors such as allergies that may see us blowing our nose or sticking tissues inside that can result in bleeding. Additionally, medication, alcohol, or a deviated septum can result in a lot of red.
How Do I Prevent Nose Bleeds?
Filtersfast.com can’t tell you what medication you need to solve an allergy problem, or offer consult for a medical condition, but we can suggest a few products that at moisture to the air and remove dust, pollen, and smaller particles that can irritate your nose and contribute to making you sick.
The first thing you can do is make sure your air conditioning system filter does not need replaced. If you have not replaced your air filter in the past 3 months or it is currently clogged, it is time to install a replacement. Depending on the air filter MERV rating airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and bacteria will be taken out of the air. A higher MERV rating means more effective contaminate reduction. The downside is that a reduction to airflow and a slightly higher energy bill.
If you rather buy a MERV 8 or 11 filter you might consider purchasing a HEPA rated air purifier. HEPA filters are equivalent to MERV 13 filters and are very effective at reducing airborne bacteria. Keeping in mind that air purifiers are more useful for only a small section of your home depending on the size of the unit and how much air it can move on its own.
To prevent nosebleeds that result from dry air, you will want to shop humidifiers. You have several options when it comes to humidifiers, including:
- Cool Mist
- Warm Mist
- and Whole House
During warmer summer months where air molecules are able to hold greater amount of moisture a cool mist humidifier may be ideal. Warm mist humidifier are more effective at outputting greater amounts of moisture in a shorter period of time which can make the air stuffy. Whole house humidifiers require installation with you air conditioning system but are the most effective way of controlling moisture levels throughout your home.
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