Winter will soon come roaring through, and with it, your need to use the heater. You might not realize this, but while your heater is warming up your home, it's also drying out your nasal passages. Unfortunately, once your nasal passages are dried out, you'll be at an increased risk for nose bleeds. The last thing you want to deal with is nose bleeds all winter long. Luckily, you might not have to. Here are some strategies you can use to reduce the occurrence of nosebleeds this winter:

Use Humidifiers During the Winter

Now that you know that your heater is going to dry out the air in your home, you need to take steps to prevent it. One way to do that is through the use of humidifiers. Place one humidifier in the main living area of your home, and another one in your bedroom. The humidifiers will add much-needed moisture to the air, which will help reduce winter nosebleeds. If you feel the onset of sinusitis, such as congestion or night time coughing, stand in a warm shower for a few minutes and breathe in the steam. The added moisture will help reduce the inflammation in your sinuses, which will help reduce the occurrence of sinusitis-related nosebleeds.

Lubricate the Inside of Your Nose

You can't stay home all winter, and you can't be sure that every building you go into will have a humidifier. That's why it's important that you lubricate the inside of your nose. Placing a small amount of Vaseline on the inside of your nose will help keep things lubricated, and prevent nasal dryness that could lead to a nosebleed. It's also a good idea to carry saline drops with you during the winter. An occasional application of saline nasal drops can help prevent those winter nosebleeds, as well.

Know the Medications Your On

You might not realize this, but some of the medications you're taking could be causing your winter nosebleeds. This is particularly true if you're taking over-the-counter allergy medications or decongestants. Before you start experiencing those winter nosebleeds, check the side effects associated with the medications you're taking.

Talk to Your Doctor

An occasional winter nosebleed isn't usually anything to worry about. However, if you begin experiencing frequent nosebleeds, or bleeding that is difficult to control, you need to speak to your doctor. You may have an underlying condition that will need to be resolved. 

Contact a medical office like Snow Creek Medical Center for more information and assistance.