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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Bloody noses...

Ti T'war

Nov 20, 08 7:38

Post #1 of 22 (422 views)

Bloody noses...	Can't Post

I mean frequently. I seem to have vein or something that runs close to the surface of my septum and when I blow my nose (even gently) I bleed like a stuck pig (sorry graphic).

This is annoying when I'm at home, and has been happening a lot lately. I seem to have trouble healing the raw spot on my septum or something. Anyway I'm worried that this is goingot happen on a ride or a run (it is snot rocket season) and I'm going to be far from home with nothing to dam the flow.

Anybody have a similar problem? I'm not a coke head or anything. Anything that can be done?
__________________________________________________
It's T'war like 'car'
http://www.tritwar.blogspot.com
This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time. - Fight Club

Devlin

Nov 20, 08 7:51

Post #2 of 22 (409 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Vaseline in the nasal passage, there are sprays. Snip off the end of a couple tampons and carry them with you on the run, or if you can beg some of the little gauze pad rolls from your dentist.

If it's really bad, talk to your ENT doc about searing the vessel.

John

I can't imagine what 40 strokes/25 yds looks like. No one jumped in to save you? [Katy]
Pain is Temporary...Glory is Forever...Chicks Dig Scars

bmanners

Nov 20, 08 7:54

Post #3 of 22 (406 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If it's not blow you must be doing crank. Kidding, a good Dr. can caulderize it for you. Should stop it

bmanners

Nov 20, 08 7:55

Post #4 of 22 (404 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [bmanners] [In reply to]	Can't Post

ride with a tissue to stick up there in case for now if you dont already.

JimSoucie

Nov 20, 08 7:59

Post #5 of 22 (397 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would go see an ENT they might be able to help you but otherwise. carry some gauze and be careful.

Bayman

Nov 20, 08 9:20

Post #6 of 22 (360 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Been there and still doing that, typically when the weather gets cold and the furnaces in offices and home start pumping out the BTU's. Also in high altitude, I bled my way through two gigs in Afghanistan ( hard to deal with tribal elders with a hunk of arse wipe shoved up your nose). Do not use vaseline, I did and started suffering from vertigo, an Navy doc suggested that the vaseline can screw with your sinus cavity with the same results as having inner ear decompression sickness (paranasal sinus barotruma). I suggest you use a saline solution mist spray to keep the nasal cavity moist and put a humidifier next to your bed. There is no way I am letting anyone shove a hot poker up my nose so the whole cauterize deal is out of the question for this cowboy.
If it occurs during a bike or run just pinch your nostrils for a few minutes and soldier on.

Alibabwa

Nov 20, 08 9:23

Post #7 of 22 (352 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Devlin] [In reply to]	Can't Post

- 1 on the vaseline suggestion (edited after reading Bayman's response above).

Is it really dry where you are? The dryer your nasal passages are the more likely you are to have nose bleeds. When it's cold I get bloody noses because of most indoor heating seems to suck moisture out of the air (I live in Vancouver so dry isn't an issue most of the time), that could be the issue for you.

You can also try saliene solution nasal washes - I use them to prevent sinus infections but apparently they work for dryness too. Neti Pots are the most cost effective and eco friendly, any decent pharmacist should be able to help you out. If you go the DIY route be very, very careful to get the ratio of salt to water right (hurts like *&$% if you use too much salt).

(This post was edited by Alibabwa on Nov 20, 08 13:06)

Bell Head

Nov 20, 08 9:29

Post #8 of 22 (339 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Bayman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Do not use vaseline, I did and started suffering from vertigo, an Navy doc suggested that the vaseline can screw with your sinus cavity with the same results as having inner ear decompression sickness (paranasal sinus barotruma). I suggest you use a saline solution mist spray to keep the nasal cavity moist and put a humidifier next to your bed. There is no way I am letting anyone shove a hot poker up my nose so the whole cauterize deal is out of the question for this cowboy.
If it occurs during a bike or run just pinch your nostrils for a few minutes and soldier on.

I agree with all of this. I used to use vaseline, but then started having an issue with sinus infections. I now use saline and will use a neti pot once or twice a day. That tends to keep things moist during the winter. It also helps to hydrate well.

My doc said that although he could cauterize it, he suggested the saline and neti pot first, and so far this has done the trick.

Victor

snoots

Nov 20, 08 9:31

Post #9 of 22 (338 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Imagine how bad-ass you'd seem, blood streaming down your face onto your tri-top, as you passed people on the bike screaming "On your f*#king left!!!" :)

I had this problem for years, the bleeding nose combined with narrow nasal passages would result in very hard, dry, and firmly attached nose crusties. They make a brand of nasal lubricant; I don't recall it's name, but it's not petroeum based, like vaseline is, and is available in small sample tubes that can be concealed anywhere... made the dryness much better...

banana

Nov 20, 08 9:31

Post #10 of 22 (338 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It used to happen to me fairly often when I lived at a higher elevation and dryer climate. I went to the ENT a few times as a kid and got the same story as you about the vein being close to the surface. I pretty much gave up and accepted bleeding noses as a part of my life.

Once it get injured, my nose will bleed a few times per day until it heals. If I remember to be REALLY careful blowing it and scratching then it will be fine. The nasal moisturizer stuff (like Rhinaris) can help sometimes, but I don't remember to use it until the area is already inflammed.

This sounds disgusting, but for me it depends on which side it bleeding. One side is typically much worse than the other. If it's the "good" side, then I know it isn't flowing very hard and will stop in a few minutes. I usually end up having to wash blood off my top-tube. If it's the "bad" side then I need to stop, sit down and rest.

It used to happen a lot during the stress of exams. I don't think that I made it through a single session without leaving drops of blood on at least one exam paper. Sometimes the proctors would get nervous or they were let me leave, other times they would ignore me.

Runski

Nov 20, 08 9:31

Post #11 of 22 (338 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

See a Dr. right away. I'm an idiot and tried the Vasoline bit for a couple YEARS. Turns out I had an exposed vein. Chemical cauterization didn't work so I got the real electric cauterization. It's like welding for your skin!! You may not be allowed to workout for a couple days after, but it's a small price to pay to not have to worry about gushing blood at inopportune times. Good luck and have fun.

*******************
*********************************************

Vegetarian: An old Aboriginal American word for "Bad Hunter."

Dubsey

Nov 20, 08 9:39

Post #12 of 22 (329 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Runski] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just get it cauterizd and be done with it, a blood vessel in your nose just runs too close to the surface I had the same problem and once its bled a few times in a short period of time its too irritated to heal fully before it happens again.

COOP

Nov 20, 08 10:05

Post #13 of 22 (299 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not an ENT but I know a little about medicine/anesthesia. Get it looked at; sometimes simple things like frequent nose bleeds can be the result of much more serious illness/disease processes. For instance, frequent nose bleeds can be a result of high blood pressure or frequently result from a clotting disorder as well as an anatomic problem like a blood vessel (small vein or artery) just below the skin surface.
Just my two cents but I don't take things like this lightly.
Coop
Honor, courage and commitment!

kdw

Nov 20, 08 10:13

Post #14 of 22 (290 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Stop going up to the 2nd knuckle every time you get a booger like every other idiot I see in traffic... ;-)

Maui

Nov 20, 08 10:15

Post #15 of 22 (288 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I had exactly the same problem. Went to the ENT and in 30 minutes he fixed it, he cauderized the vein that was giving me the problem. It wasn't painful at all.

stef32

Nov 20, 08 11:55

Post #16 of 22 (249 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Maui] [In reply to]	Can't Post

go see a doctor, you are not supose to bleed that easily

footwerx

Nov 20, 08 12:56

Post #17 of 22 (229 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

any family history?

Alibabwa

Nov 20, 08 13:05

Post #18 of 22 (222 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Bayman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Good to know, especially as I tend to get sinus infections.

Thanks.

Devlin

Nov 20, 08 13:34

Post #19 of 22 (198 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Alibabwa] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Good to know, especially as I tend to get sinus infections.

Thanks.

YMMV. I never had any problems when using vaseline on my nasal passages.

John

I can't imagine what 40 strokes/25 yds looks like. No one jumped in to save you? [Katy]
Pain is Temporary...Glory is Forever...Chicks Dig Scars

Meowelk

Nov 20, 08 14:39

Post #20 of 22 (173 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I was a long time sufferer. As others mentioned, when the furnace season would start, I'd get them all the time. My Dad got his nose cauterized when he was thirty ish, and it severely limited his sense of smell. So I shied away from that, although the procedure may have fewer risks now.

I buy Ayr saline nasal gel. The gel works for me, the sprays not as well. I use it on a q-tip after every shower, and also before I go to bed. I no longer have a problem. The sprays helped some, but I would still get them blowing my nose, or after a hard workout if the air was dry and not too warm. Use both if you like. I'd try that before cauterizing anything. And no need for a humidified bedroom, etc.

Oh, and getting a bleed while exercising - IME it doesn't happen often, I think because you're exhaling water vapor and some of it condenses in you nose when its cold. Keeps it moist enough not to crack. I think I've only had it happen twice. both times it stopped fairly quickly once I stopped running. Laundry was a little more work that week!

docfuel

Nov 20, 08 21:14

Post #21 of 22 (114 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

There are several issues here.
One is what to do now. The head of ENT at Childrens Hospital of LA recommends using Neosporin in your nostrils twice daily until you don't bleed for a few days. I believe that he thinks one gets a biofilm on the disrupted membranes.

As a long term, I prefer saline gels in the nostril daily when the air is dry or you turn on the heat. The pumps are better--Nasogel or Ayr gel pump.

You may have a dilated vessel there on the septum that needs cautery.
You could have a bleeding disorder. Von Willebrands Disease is very much underdiagnosed, even by ENT and gyns. This is surprising since one of the most common causes of recurrent bleeding from nose or uterus is Von Willys. If you bleed like stuck pig and it is hard to stop, you may have this. I think I remember that over 2% of the population have VWD, but the vast majority are missed.

Lastly, there are some pretty serious and scary causes of recurrent bloody noses, so having it examined in the near future is a good idea, but don't forget about VWD.
_________________
Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

Devlin

Nov 21, 08 7:31

Post #22 of 22 (83 views)

Re: Bloody noses... [docfuel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Lastly, there are some pretty serious and scary causes of recurrent bloody noses, so having it examined in the near future is a good idea, but don't forget about VWD.

Yes, go see your vet immediately. :D :D

(Couldn't resist)

John

I can't imagine what 40 strokes/25 yds looks like. No one jumped in to save you? [Katy]
Pain is Temporary...Glory is Forever...Chicks Dig Scars