Help for Chronic Nosebleeds

by Dr. Sandy | Comments


Reader Question: My son frequently gets nosebleeds—especially this time of year. Is there anything I can do to prevent them?

On Call Response: Many people get nosebleeds in the winter because indoor air can get very dry (due to cranking up the heat), which dries out the mucosal lining of the nose. Keeping nasal passages moisturized by using a nasal saline spray or saline gel should help. If it doesn’t, try a humidifier. People who get nosebleeds very often may need to use a nasal spray decongestant (such as Afrin), but these should only be used sparingly, since frequent use can lead to dependency.

Recurrent bleeding may require a trip to the ENT doctor (ear, nose and throat doctor) to have the offending vessel cauterized. It’s also a good idea to consult your doctor if nosebleeds are happening very often, since they sometimes indicate a more serious underlying bleeding disorder.

