We have been having some crazy Weather her in CA the past few weeks. In the middle of January it has been 80 degrees and for a few days it was really windy and dry. Last week as my son was getting into the car his nose just started pouring out blood. It was almost like a faucet. This has happened on a few other occasions but this one was nuts! For the longest time I always thought you were supposed to tilt your head back and pinch your nose but I was glad I knew not to do that anymore.
The best way to stop a nose bleed is to tilt your head forward. This prevents the flow of blood from going down the back of your throat. Then you place your thumb on one side of your nose and your forefinger on the other side, up near the bridge. Slowly slide them down to the sudden “drop off” where the bones give way to cartilage. Pinch your thumb and forefinger together, and hold. The pinch should be far enough back on the sides of your nose that you can easily wiggle your nose with those pinching fingers. Pinch with enough pressure to press both sides of your nose firmly against the septum—the cartilage in the middle of your nose. The tissue on either side of the nose puts pressure on the bleeding blood vessel, which is usually on the septum. If the bleeding slows or stops, you are pinching in the right place. If not, start over, and pinch lower or higher. Hold the pinch for a minimum of five minutes before you release. You may need to repeat this again for another five-minute session.
There are several other important steps you can take to save your family from the nosebleed season.
- First, it is important to own a humidifier. Nosebleeds happen when the blood vessels that line the nose become irritated and break open. By purchasing a humidifier, moisture will be brought into the room for added moistness and relief.
- Second, be sure to buy effective, easy to use saline sprays. A saline spray, such as Boogie Mist, is scented so it is easy to use on children, non-medicated and gentle on everyone’s noses, even newborns. Saline sprays are used to moisturize the nose and keep it from drying out and becoming prone to bleeds.
- Using a lubricant such as vaseline or neosporin will keep your nose moist. Using a cotton swab to put a small dab just inside the nose.
If you want to go the DIY yourself route here is a recipe on how to make your own saline nose spray:
Saline nose spray or drops help keep the nose moist and loosen dry mucus. You can buy saline nose drops and sprays at drug stores without a prescription. There are also companies that make packets to mix with water for people who wish to buy them. Or, you can make your own saline drops with the help of an adult. Here’s how:
What You Need:
• 1-cup measuring cup
• Distilled water
• 8-ounce empty nasal spray bottle (Ask your parents to first wash and rinse it well with soap and hot water.)
• ½-teaspoon measuring spoon
• Sea salt
What You Do:
1. Pour 1 cup of distilled water into the empty nasal spray bottle.
2. Add ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Put on the bottle top and shake to mix the water and salt.
3. Carefully squeeze three to four drops in each nostril; then gently blow your nose.
