Mercy's Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist, Dr. Ileana Showalter, Discusses Nosebleeds

Dry, cold air in the winter months can commonly cause nose bleeds, which can happen in the front or back of the nose.
Nose bleeds happen when small blood vessels break in the nose which is often the result of dry nasal passages, medications or excessive blowing.

According to otolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat {ENT} expert) Dr. Ileana Showalter of Mercy Medical Center, there are steps you can take to help prevent a nosebleed: Use a humidifier at night, and over the counter remedies like saline for dryness. A decongestant nasal spray can also help after a nose bleed. Dr. Showalter explained that there are cases when a nose bleed could be a sign of something more serious.

"Nose bleeds that persist on one side of the nose linked to chronic blockage on that side -- headaches, changes in vision -- that could suggest there's something more serious than just a blood vessel that burst. It could suggest that there's a growth inside the nose or the sinuses," Dr. Showalter said.

People who do get nose bleeds should lean forward and put pressure on their nose, pinching it as hard as they can until the bleeding stops.

To view Mercy ENT Dr. Ileana Showalter’s interview about nosebleeds, click here.