Dry nasal passages
Stemming a flood from your nose can be embarrassing and inconvenient. If you’ve ever wondered what causes nosebleeds, Josef Shargorodsky, MD, rhinologist at Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat NJ, says one of the most common reasons for a nosebleed is dry nasal passages. Central heating or air conditioning can cause the inside of the nose to dry out. Dry and dusty regions can have the same effect.
Dry nasal passages crust over, and when you remove that cover by blowing your nose—or sticking your finger in there (don’t do it—picking carries other risks too!)—bleeding can result.
Try using a humidifier and drink plenty of fluids to help prevent nasal passages from drying out. If you need a little extra help, Dr. Shargorodsky recommends using an OTC saline nasal spray or antibiotic cream from your pharmacist, to keep the inside of your nose moist. Don’t miss these other home remedies for a stuffy nose.
A blow to the nose
Not too surprising, but even a glancing blow will trigger nosebleeds, as any football, basketball, soccer, or baseball player can tell you. Blood vessels can get damaged, making them bleed. Facial trauma can also cause swelling and bruising, so if the bleeding is significant, or your nose keeps gushing, always seek medical advice in case the damage is worse than it looks, warns Dr. Shargorodsky.
Colds and seasonal allergies
Colds and seasonal allergies create swollen nasal passages and a build-up of mucus in the nose. This is what causes that “stuffed up” feeling we know so well. But repeated and vigorous efforts to blow this gunk out can tear the tiny blood vessels in the nose and start your nose gushing. Prevention is the best cure, so try and limit the effect of allergies by trying these natural remedies and avoid repeatedly blowing your nose.
