Gross question about swallowing blood.

March 27, 2020 1:06 PM

So, I'm in the midst of an epic nosebleed. Applyind pressure to the side of my nose and leaning slightly forward, but I know I've swallowed a fair amount of blood. Should I drink some water to help dilute it in my stomach, or let it pass through on my empty stomach? Does it even matter?
posted by mefireader to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

Should be fine, dead red blood cells are in stool all the time. Got there a different way but same makeup. Water won't hurt.
posted by Freedomboy at 1:14 PM on March 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

Long time nose-bleeder here. It won't hurt you. I'd eat or drink something as best you can just to get rid of the awful taste, but it's not going to hurt you.
posted by niicholas at 1:15 PM on March 27, 2020 [2 favorites]

Sipping water is probably a good idea. Swallowing blood like that can lead to feeling nauseous. I've had that experience, and you don't want to puke during a nosebleed. Not a doctor, just relaying personal experience.
posted by SoberHighland at 1:16 PM on March 27, 2020 [3 favorites]

Dink water anyway, because if you're at all dehydrated the blood won't clot properly.

Life-long nosebleeder, married to a life-long nosebleeder.
posted by wryly at 1:49 PM on March 27, 2020 [1 favorite]

When you finally um, eliminate the blood, it's normal that your stool will be darker than usual. Don't panic.
posted by citygirl at 2:25 PM on March 27, 2020

Apply firm pressure to the area of skin between your nose and upper lip.

As for the blood swallowing, ya, have a drink and a snack. I keep paper straws in the house in part because I’m also a lifelong nosebleeder.

Edit I was wrong about the pressure. Pinch your nose shut. You can find a video online.
posted by bilabial at 4:49 PM on March 27, 2020

Response by poster: Thank you all. It finally subsided and I did feel better with water and a snack.
posted by mefireader at 4:59 PM on March 27, 2020

I used to have them every few months, eventually went to an EENT doctor. I had to explain that it was gushing not dripping, how long it took to end using pressure and how often I had them. He then (I believe) cauterized it (or shoved some pain inducing tool in my nose) and I haven't had a problem since. IANAD. YMMV.
posted by forthright at 6:14 PM on March 27, 2020

Too late to comment but I just wanted to say as far as swallowing blood being a problem what comes to mind is steak tartar or blood sausage and an emphatic no.
posted by Pembquist at 10:42 AM on March 28, 2020