Natural remedies for nosebleeds

Even though nose bleeding isn't a symptom of a serious condition, there are some natural remedies that can help stop it. Let's find out what they are so you can try them.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Maricela Jiménez López.

Written by Carolina Betancourth

Last update: 24 August, 2022

Nosebleeds, also known as nasal hemorrhages, and medically as epistaxis, is a common condition that can appear at the worst times, according to studies carried out by the Ochsner Clinic Foundation. The bleeding might a source of much alarm, but it’s rarely a symptom of anything serious.

It’s usually the result of an injury, nasal allergies, or other problems that affect the blood vessels lining the nose. While it’s neither painful nor there are other discomforts, there are a few natural remedies to stop them. Do you know them?

What are the causes of nosebleeds?

Nasal hemorrhages can appear when the mucous membrane of the nose dries and hardens, and this leads to cracking. This same condition is really common in those taking blood thinners and the elderly, whose blood takes longer to clot. It’s also a common side effect among those patients who consume anticoagulant medications.

Other common causes of nosebleeds are:

• Rhinosinusitis, according to this study carried out by Hospital Clínico Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
• The forceful blowing of the nose
• Blows or hits to the nose
• Nasal allergies, according to this research conducted by the University of Oxford, which offers the alternative treatment of a saline solution
• High altitudes, as per this study by the Command Hospital in Kolkata, India assures
• Drug use, according to this research carried out by the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile.
• Hypertension, as per this study conducted by the Hospital Clínico Martín Chang Puga in Camagüey, Cuba.

Remedies for stopping nosebleeds

If the blood doesn’t stop, then you must see a doctor as soon as possible. Keeping the above in mind, you must also resort to some natural remedies. Here are some:

• Saltwater: Make a saline solution by mixing a pinch of salt in a glass of water, then inject it into the nasal cavity with the help of a syringe.
• Vinegar: Another good solution involves soaking a piece of sterile gauze in vinegar, which you then place in the nose for 10 minutes. This is particularly effective in cases where there’s a parasitic infection in the area, according to this study conducted by the Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.
• Cold cloth: Place a cold cloth on the end of the nose. This remedy will contract the blood vessels and stop the blood flow.
• Ice: Applying ice is also an effective way to stop the bleeding according to this information provided by the Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria. Simply apply ice to the nose for a few minutes.
• Blow your nose: Gently blow your nose to expel any blood clots that may be hindering normal flow.

Recommendations to prevent nosebleeds

Indeed, nosebleeds are due to many reasons. Despite this, there are some preventive measures that can help minimize the risk of their reoccurrence. If you have them often, then consider the following:

• Increase your water consumption to avoid dehydration. The nostrils lose lubrication and can crack in dehydrated organisms. Thus, hydration is very important to keep us healthy, according to what studies say about it.
• Avoid excessive exposure to air conditioning. Air conditioners dry the natural air and make nosebleeds more likely, according to this data offered by the Manual of Otolaryngology of Salvat.
• In case of sinusitis, cold, or conditions that affect the nose, rub the inside of the nose with a little petroleum jelly or, as per the above manual, spray it with a saline solution to keep the nasal passages moist.
• Increase your vitamin C consumption, a vital nutrient for strengthening the capillary walls caused by toxins. Or, after undergoing surgery, according to this research.

When to seek medical attention

When to seek medical attention

Nosebleeds are rarely a warning sign that something is wrong. However, when they occur frequently and for no reason, it’s very important to see a doctor to rule out a major health problem, such as leukemia or a blood problem.

However, even if it passes quickly and without apparent sequelae, it’s advisable to see a doctor- not as an emergency, but to rule out what could have caused the event. You should know that epistaxis is always a symtom of something.

In this sense, a complete history with oral and pharyngeal examination is required. It includes a complete blood count, coagulation study and x-ray of the perinasal cavities. It’s necessary to determine if it’s anterior or posterior, recurrent or isolated and if the factors that originated it are local or respond to some systemic disorder.

It’s recommended to go to the doctor immediately when the bleeding lasts 20 or more minutes, the blood loss is a lot, or if it is due to an injury caused by a blow or an accident.

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