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A bloody nose can be merely a nuisance or it can be a medical emergency. In most cases, people with minor nosebleeds find them uncomfortable, if not alarming, and would be pleased to find a way to treat nosebleeds. Here, one reader reports on a successful but scary strategy.
A Hemorrhoid Remedy to Treat Nosebleeds?
Q. I have something like varicose veins in my nose that cause frequent nosebleeds. My nose is often dry regardless of weather conditions.
To counteract this, I have used either Vaseline or Preparation H as the ear, nose and throat specialist suggested. Believe it or not, the Preparation H works great and really keeps the bleeds at bay. If I have a mild bleed, I use Preparation H for at least a week. Otherwise, I use one of these every other day or so.
A. We understand why Preparation H might be helpful to treat nosebleeds. It contains phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor. That means it shrinks blood vessels in the nose as well as the rear end.
There is a problem with your strategy, however. Both Vaseline and Preparation H contain petroleum jelly (also known as petrolatum). Physicians have been arguing about the benefits and risks of putting petrolatum in the nose for years.
A report in BMC Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders (Aug. 19, 2016) asks doctors to warn against:
“long-term application of petroleum-based oils and ointments to the nose and discourage such use of these products.”
The researchers were reporting on a case of lipoid pneumonia in an older woman who regularly used Vicks VapoRub in her nose. It too contains petrolatum, and the packaging warns “Do not use in nostrils.”
You can read much more about why you should keep petroleum jelly out of your nose at this link:
Love It or Hate It, Petroleum Jelly Elicits Emotion
“Dermatologists often recommend petroleum jelly to condition and moisturize dry skin. It may be safe for lips, but keep it out of your nose!”
Treat Nosebleeds Without A Hemorrhoid Remedy:
If you want the vasoconstrictor action of phenylephrine without the petroleum jelly, you might want to ask your ENT doctor about Neo-Synephrine Nasal Spray. It contains phenylephrine without petrolatum. We don’t know if it will help your nosebleeds as much, since it does not contain moisturizer. You could add a saline gel or nasal spray to your regimen.
Saline Nasal Gel to Prevent Nosebleeds:
This reader offers a different approach:
Q. I had a couple of scary nosebleeds a few years ago, and my ear-nose-and-throat clinician advised me to use Ayr Saline Nasal Gel two or three times a day. He also suggested that I get a humidifier installed on my furnace. When I did this, it helped with my nose and my skin as well.
I’ve had great success with this method and haven’t had any nosebleeds, not even a hint of blood. I’m very grateful to my ENT PA for the recommendations on how to prevent nosebleeds.
This nasal gel is affordable. It’s definitely worth looking into if you have problems with dry nose.
Why Saline Is Better Than Petroleum Jelly:
A. Saline sprays or gels are a safe way to moisturize a dry nose. Although people sometimes tell us they like to use petroleum jelly products such as Vaseline or Vicks VapoRub, these are not appropriate nasal moisturizers. To prevent nosebleeds, you should avoid oil-based products, as they might end up in the lungs and cause inflammation.
Here is another take on this common problem:
Q. I was a victim of frequent nosebleeds. My doctor suggested I soak a small wad of cotton with a few drops of Afrin and put that in my nostril. It worked right away to treat nosebleeds.
How to Prevent Nosebleeds:
I was more interested in eliminating the nosebleeds than dealing with a bloody mess, so I began rubbing a little Vaseline in each nostril. I’ve done that for two years and have only had two slight nosebleeds during that time. Apparently, keeping the membranes moist does the trick.
A. Regular use of petroleum jelly in the nose could lead to inflammation of the lungs (lipoid pneumonia). Instead, moisturize dry nasal passages with a saline solution.
Afrin Nasal Spray contains oxymetazoline, a compound that constricts blood vessels. This would be helpful to treat nosebleeds (American Family Physician, Aug. 15, 2018). Used too often, however, Afrin can lead to rebound congestion that can make your nose feel stuffy.
Many readers report that a home remedy can be helpful against nosebleeds. Doctors recommend pinching the nose to put pressure on the bleed. Although some people laugh at the idea of putting a ring of keys down the back of the neck, others insist it works.
One reader offered this:
“As a youngster in England 50 years ago, I got a bad nosebleed while walking home. As I passed a baker’s shop, the owner noticed my problem, took me inside, put me on the shop floor and slipped a huge cold door key down my back. My nose stopped bleeding immediately.”
Please share your own story about stopping nose bleeds in the comment section below. Thank you for supporting The People’s Pharmacy.
JoAnn
I am an 85 year old female and have had nose bleeds all my life. Some are minor, some are heavy and some have been so severe, I have been taken to the emergency room. My veins have been cauterized several times. My pockets are always stuffed with tissues. A few years ago, my ENT suggested Afrin soaked cotton balls, and this treatment was quite successful, however, I have discovered “Nampons” (nosebleed plugs). They are small individually wrapped plugs with a clotting agent. THEY WORK! and so convenient. I keep them in my purse and pockets and am always prepared.
John
A traditional ayurvedic moisturizer for the nose is a little organic ghee, organic unrefined sesame oil, or organic unrefined coconut oil. The sesame oil in particular is part of traditional ayurvedic daily routine to follow throughout life so there is no problem with frequent use.
BONNIE
I’ve had heavy nosebleeds off and on my entire life. As a child, I got one vein cauterized. Last year (I’m in my 70’s), they started again (had them occasionally throughout my life), very heavy and taking a long time to stop. I used a humidifier at night but that didn’t help much. I finally went to an ENT doc and he took out the problem vein. He said to use a nasal decongestant with oxymetazoline but sparingly. I have had only one minor nosebleed in a year now. I use a simple saline spray occasionally and am careful blowing my nose.
Chris
if you have chronic nose bleeds regardless of the time of year, AND you are not on an anticoagulant, AND the bleed is enough to saturate a face cloth, its time to see an ENT. Some folks have varicose type veins under their nasal passages that need to be ligated to live their lives. Cautery just buys time, it can cause problems if done too often. Saline tastes too much like the blood that you swallow when you have a bad nose bleed. It is salt, it dries you out more. I wouldn’t use it for that reason Swallowed too much blood!
Jeanne
Would using coconut oil have the same effect as Vaseline on the lungs?
Rush
I use coconut oil as the best remedy for nosebleeds in extremely dry air. I just use 1-2 drops in each nostril and gently spread it inside with one of the fingers. I did it everyday after a shower, and it made your nosebleeds go away.
Lou
I used to use petroleum jelly until I read years ago on this forum about its possible harmful effects. They suggested something like lubricating gel K-Y Brand Jelly. I found Walmart’s Equate Jelly Personal Lubricant much cheaper than K-Y and has the same ingredients. Because it is not petroleum based, its much safer.
Katherine
Before putting anything in your nose, you should ALWAYS check the ingredients! I learned this the hard way after a physician recommended a very inappropriate product.
So – these are the ingredeients in Ayr Saline Nasal Gel (from their website): Water, glycerin, methyl gluceth-10, propylene glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe vera gel), carbomer, sodium chloride, xanthan gum, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, potassium sorbate, sodium hydroxide, diazolidinyl urea, glycine soja (soybean) oil, geranium maculatum oil, tocopheryl acetate, citric acid, sodium benzoate, sodium sulfite, blue 1.
Now ask yourself, do you really want to be breathing all that stuff? I certainly don’t!
Ann
My husband had such a bad nosebleed last weekend that we went to the emergency room, and then later the ENT. They did use Afrin to help with stopping the blood in the ER. Then the ENT prescribed the Ayr Saline gel for his nose. It seems to have worked very well. He has the Afrin but hasn’t needed it again.
Jake
I got a saline nasal spray at drug store. Squeezed out most of the liquid in it and replaced it with a super-saturated salt water. I made the salt water by adding salt to half a cup of very hot water until the water would take no more. Just one spray will stop any nose bleed I ever have.
Bonnie
An ice pack (flexible) on the nose also helps stop a nosebleed. And on the back of the neck.
Marian
I don’t have nosebleeds, but I experience dry nose and throat, especially in the winter when the heat is on. I was putting Vaseline in my nose, but stopped when I read your warning. I purchased Ayr Saline Nasal Gel which works fine but is pricey. I am now using KY Personal Lubricant, which is mostly glycerin. I buy a 4oz tube at Walmart in pharmacy section where feminine products are sold. It works well for me.
Berge
I used Ayr saline spray and also jel, but still had nose bleeds. Yet, when I started using petroleum jelly, I had no nose bleed for 3 years . Even though the doctors recommend Ayr gel, I still continue the petroleum jelly.
One big reason of its effectiveness is its firm consistency, which help it stay on the nasal cavity for long time. On the contrary, the Ayr gel is so watery that it does not stay in the nose to be effective.
As far as lung infection goes, I can not imagine a small amount of petroleum can travel to the lungs, and in 3 years I have had no lung issues.
Shelly
Cold keys have worked for my husband and me since we read about it. Quickly stopped our nosebleed which was quite a surprise.
Ariel
I find a humidifier and Ayr nasal gel works well for me. ENT suggested it.