As the colder months of winter begin to creep closer, so does the looming threat of a dry, bloody nose. The threat is much worse for those who spend most of their time in a warm climate and take trips having recently moved to a cold climate, as well as those who venture high into the mountains to take advantage of the snow for skiing. or snowboard adventure. Fortunately, there are ways to combat and treat it for a comfortable and pain-free winter season.
The first step is preventive measures. These tips are especially important for those who come from hot climates, especially those that are humid, as the change from hot and humid to cold and dry can immediately turn a comfortable nose into a painful one. One of the best ways is to invest in a humidifier, which can keep the room humid enough to prevent dry air from drying out your nose, which can lead to nosebleeds and pain. Humidifiers can be cheap or expensive, although you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find an effective one.
Other possible ways to prevent a dry nose is to purchase a saline nasal spray that can be used multiple times throughout the day. This will keep the nasal passages moist and lubricated, which helps prevent nasal mucus from drying and hardening, which can lead to pain, discomfort, and nose bleeds. If your nose has already dried out, nasal spray can be used to moisten the nasal mucus and allow you to blow your nose and expel it more efficiently.
Other simple tips include taking a hot shower (as hot as you can tolerate), which allows the room to steam up. If you prefer not to shower, you can use a kettle or boil some water and breathe in the fumes. The extra moisture and heat will loosen nasal mucus, allowing you to blow your nose and clear your nasal passages.
When sleeping at night, the use of the humidifier along with the nasal spray can be helped by the use of nasal strips. These small pieces of plastic or cloth are placed on the outside of your nose and keep your nostrils open while you sleep. Not only does this increase your ability to breathe, but it can also prevent frequent snoring.
Spring and summer can be horrible times for allergy sufferers, but winter doesn’t discriminate. If you have yet to acclimate to cold weather, it is best to follow the steps above to avoid having an uncomfortable and painful winter season.
