My poor right nostril

June 16, 2006 6:24 AM

Help me stop my bleeding nose!

I had possibly the worst cold I've ever had last week and the week before which resulted in a lot of extraordinary honking into tissues. The worst part of my cold ended about three days ago, however, for the last four days every time I blow into a tissue there's a good amount of blood coming from my right nostril. Yesterday and today I tried to limit my blowing, keeping it light and only to the left side, however there are times when I still have to blow the right side. I'm doing this every so softly now, but still, lots of blood. The blood doesn't drip out or anything, I only see it in the tissue when I blow. Also, I do sometimes feel an ever so slight throbbing sensation right up the top right nostril.

Any ideas what I can do? I can't exactly cut out the blowing completely because my nose is still runny. I am trying to limit it though.

Help me! I feel like one of those kids at school who would get nose bleeds and have to lie on the floor until it stopped!

posted by Jase_B to Health & Fitness (13 answers total)

It doesn't sound like a nosebleed, it sounds like either a sinus infection, or just some seriously raw, irritated nose membranes that are protesting the constant nose blowing. The throbbing leads me to believe that it's an infection, though. I'd see someone about it.
posted by iconomy at 6:33 AM on June 16, 2006

The throbbing and clear (runny) snot are two indications of a sinus infection. Might not be what you have, but I'd go see a doctor.
posted by slimepuppy at 6:47 AM on June 16, 2006

A sinus infection hey. Interesting. During the worst part of the cold the right side of my face really hurt, all the way down to my back teeth and jaw. I'll see a doctor tomorrow.
posted by Jase_B at 6:54 AM on June 16, 2006

Yes, I would get it checked out.

I was told by a first aid instructor recently that you shouldn't tilt your head back if you have a nosebleed - some blood could drip into your lungs where it will stay forever and possibly cause problems later in life.
posted by agregoli at 7:12 AM on June 16, 2006

probably not a very helpful answer but definitely a funny anecdote. the other day i went hiking with a couple girl friends of mine. one had recently had her nose pierced. about an hour into the hike we stopped for a break and she accidentally bumped her nose/piercing enough to trigger a nosebleed. we all searched through our bags for kleenex, rags, or anything she could use to stop the bleeding and/or clean up. all she found was a tampon. so for the next ten minutes, we breaked whiled she (tampon-in-nostril) waited for it to stop. Some excellent comic relief on a strenuous hike.
posted by purplefiber at 7:20 AM on June 16, 2006

Athletes use tampons all the time to stop nosebleeds actually. Football teams especially, but boxers, basketball players. So, if the nose bleeds keep coming, i'd suggest the tampon+neosporin treatment.

It might not solve the problem, but it'll give everyone around you a good laugh. And thats what counts.
posted by ZackTM at 7:39 AM on June 16, 2006

Probably sinusitis - infection. Could go away by itself but if it persists or worsens call or see your doctor. Nasal decongestant spray may help drainage & speed recovery.
posted by jams at 7:47 AM on June 16, 2006

I had this during a sinus infection. Basically, the nostril would bleed through the night, and when I blow my nose any time during the day afterwards, I come up with a load of blood. Keeping my room cool and cranking up the humidifier during the night made the blood go away in a few days.

If you do have a running nosebleed during one of the blows, however, tip your head slightly forward, pinch the bridge of your nose, stuff something up it to stop it from dripping, and roll a can of cold coke (or can of anything cold) from your forehead to your nose repeatedly.

Instead of blowing your nose, stuff something up it. Unsightly, I know...but so is blood.
posted by Sallysings at 9:07 AM on June 16, 2006

Here's part of the problem with my using regular tissues for more than one shot: I'm allergic to them. You might be as well. I would make the switch and see a doctor.
posted by bilabial at 11:07 AM on June 16, 2006

Go see your doctor. They can cauterize the spot that's bleeding to stop it. (My fiance had to do this twice. He said it smelled awful, but it worked!)
posted by geeky at 11:38 AM on June 16, 2006

If there is any point when you are not blowing your nose for a time (at night, for instance) try rubbing the inside of your nose with vaseline. It's basically lotion for very dry skin.

I'd also recommend some sort of lotion tissues for bad colds -- it just rubs a bit less raw, so it takes longer to get to that point.
posted by Margalo Epps at 2:15 PM on June 16, 2006

I've had the nostril nose bleed without it being an infection. Basically, having a bad cold and then doing a lot of flying over a short period of time (very dry air) left my right nostril raw. Eventually after a month or so it healed. So if it's not an infection, you might be okay just leaving it alone.
posted by web-goddess at 5:18 PM on June 16, 2006

Thanks for your help everyone. I've been in contact with my doctor friend. Getting it sorted out now. He says it's a sinus infection.
posted by Jase_B at 5:18 PM on June 16, 2006