Nosebleeds, known medically as epistaxis, are not only inconvenient—they can also be alarming. There are many factors that can contribute to nosebleeds, and many people believe that cold air is one of them. We answer the question of whether this is a contributing factor or not below.
What Does the Research Show?
One study entitled “Influence of air temperature variations on the incidence of epistaxis” aimed to investigate the seasonality and association of epistaxis presentations within a large urban emergency department with variations in air temperature and humidity.
Researchers examined information collected between 2003 and 2012 and found that “A strong seasonality of epistaxis was observed, with a peak during winter.” In addition, “A weaker correlation was also found between air humidity and epistaxis but only in certain subgroups.”
How Does Cold Air Contribute to Nosebleeds?
Cold air does not hold as much moisture as warm air, causing the sinuses and mucus membranes to dry out and damage the nose lining. Basically, cold, dry air causes the usually-moist membranes to crack.
In addition, heated indoor air can also dry out the nasal passages and make the blood vessels in the nose more fragile. A nosebleed occurs when one of these blood vessels ruptures.
How Can I Prevent Winter Nosebleeds?
You can prevent winter nosebleeds by:
- Quitting smoking
- Keeping a healthy blood pressure
- Drinking 48 to 64 ounces of water each day
- Running a humidifier in your home, especially while you sleep
- Avoiding picking your nose or blowing it hard
- Treating winter allergies
- Moisturizing the nasal passages using Vaseline®
What If I Get a Nosebleed?
If you do get a nosebleed, follow these steps:
- Remain calm
- Tilt your head forward
- Pinch the nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose
- Hold constant pressure for 20 minutes
- Try a nasal spray, like Afrin
If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 30 minutes, if it’s very heavy and pouring down your throat or if you have other symptoms such as lightheadedness, seek immediate medical help.
For more information about winter nosebleeds or to schedule an appointment with a nose expert, call Midwest ENT Centre today.
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