DEAR DR. GOTT: I suffered from nosebleeds for years. I underwent cauterization nine times. I then found out I was allergic to cats and that my nosebleeds were how my body was reacting. I was told that nosebleeds are a rare sign of an allergic reaction.
Allergy pills helped, but I then heard that eating local honey could help. I haven’t had to take any allergy medication for several years now.
DEAR READER: Nosebleeds are most commonly due to dry air, so most often the advice from physicians is to keep the nasal passages moist by using saline sprays and using humidifiers. When these measures fail to provide relief, it is then time to look at other causes. [Read more...]
Allergies, nosebleeds and honey?
February 11, 2010 By
Daily Column
January 9, 2009 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
My son suffers from nosebleeds. I’d like to know if there is something he can do for the problem.
DEAR READER:
Nosebleeds (epistaxis) can be caused by infection, sinusitis, rhinitis, dry winter weather, and foreign bodies that have been inserted into the nose. The latter is quite common with young children. Individuals on certain medications such as Coumadin, aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs are susceptible. Alcohol abuse, hypertension, and several other medical conditions can contribute to repeated bouts.
Your son should be seen by his physician to detect a possible underlying cause. If his physician doesn’t feel comfortable with this, he should be seen by an otolaryngologist, a specialist in the field of ear, nose and throat disorders.
Home treatment for simple cases involves pinching the lower portion of the nostrils together with the head held back for up to ten minutes. If that fails, it may be necessary to pack the nose with an absorbent material such as a rolled gauze pad for up to ten minutes. If this also fails and the bleeding is profuse, he should seek professional help through a local emergency room or clinic.
Daily Column
April 9, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
When I take a childrens’ aspirin (81 mg), I always get a nose bleed.
Does this mean that I am allergic to aspirin? Where else would I be bleeding from?
DEAR READER:
I don’t believe you’re allergic to aspirin. I believe you are just sensitive to aspirin’s ability to slow blood clotting. Another possible bleeding site is the GI tract (stomach, intestine, etc.).
I suggest you reduce your dosage or stop it all together. You do not say why you take it. If you are using it for its pain relieving properties, I recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). I also urge you to speak to your primary care physician about the bleeding tendency and request a referral to a hematologist (blood specialist) who can test your for possible clotting disorders.
As an aside, “childrens’ aspirin” or “baby aspirin” are just low dose (81 mg) aspirin. DO NOT give 81 mg aspirin to babies, toddlers or children unless specifically advised by a pediatrician.