clinic By Dr. Angela Chang

Why Does Cold Weather Make My Nose Bleed?

I used to have frequent nosebleeds as a child.  They would start in late fall and continue through the winter. They seemed to occur at the most inopportune times, and although they would usually stop after a few minutes, they were quite a nuisance!  Fortunately, like many things in childhood, I grew out of it and no longer suffer frequent nosebleeds.

But for many people — both children and adults, epistaxis (the medical term for nosebleeds) can be problematic this time of the year. Lower humidity, colder outdoor air, and heated indoor air cause the delicate lining in the nose to crack and bleed.  Colds are also more common in the winter and lead to more frequent nose blowing and use of medications that may dry the nasal lining and make it more prone to bleeding.

I receive a lot of question about this in my clinic so I thought it would be helpful to post an article with some tips for preventing nosebleeds.

5 Best Ways To Prevent Nosebleeds

1. Use a nasal saline spray on a daily basis.  This prevents dryness in the nose. Just like our skin, the nasal lining can crack and bleed when it’s dry. Moisturizing the nasal lining can prevent nosebleeds.
2. Try using a humidifier at night.  This provides moisture to the membranes in the nasal cavity.
3. Place a small amount of ointment/gel in your nostrils to promote healing of irritated nasal lining and keep the nasal cavity moist.  NasoGel and Ayr are commonly found at your local pharmacy, but Vaseline ointment works too! 
4. Avoid overly hot liquids that might temporarily dilate blood vessels.
5. Avoid using decongestants and other cold/allergy medications too frequently.  These can often dry out your nose. If you have a cold, gently wipe your nose instead of blowing your nose forcefully.

If the nosebleeds continue despite these efforts, evaluation with an ENT physician is recommended.  Nasal cauterization (burning of the small blood vessels) or other procedures may be necessary. Frequent nosebleeds can also be a sign of a more serious problem that an ENT may be able to diagnose.

Disclaimer: This article is not to be taken as medical advice. Dr. Angela Chang enjoys writing and publishing informal articles like this one to share her general thoughts on healthcare and healthy living in San Diego. If you have any questions or concerns about your specific medical conditions or symptoms, please call Dr. Angela Chang’s office to schedule an appointment or contact another qualified physician in your area.