Health Tips for May 22

Health Tip: Why is My Nose Bleeding?

Nosebleeds are common in many people, often because of a respiratory illness or dry conditions.

The University of Maryland Medical Center offers this list of typical reasons for nosebleeds:

• Nasal allergies.
• Blowing your nose too hard or trying to remove something from inside the nose.
• A result of "popping" the ear.
• Nasal exposure to chemicals.
• Frequent sneezing or having an upper respiratory infection.
• Use of nasal spray or a blood-thinning drug, such as aspirin.
• Inhaling air that is extremely dry or cold.
• Having recent surgery on the nose or elsewhere on the face.
• Breaking the nose or a similar injury.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Nosebleeds

If your child has regular nosebleeds, there are precautions you can take to help prevent the problem.

The University of Virginia Health System offers these suggestions:

• The air in your home may be dry. Use a cool mist humidifier, especially at night, in your child's room.
• Don't allow your child to blow the nose too hard, or pick the nose.
• Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the inside of the child's nose several times a day, and always at bedtime.
• Apply saline drops or nasal spray to the nose, as recommended by your pediatrician.
• If your child has allergies, seek regular treatment from the child's doctor.