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How To Stop Nosebleeds While On Oxygen At Home
Jonathan Reed
Updated January 23, 2025

How To Stop Nosebleeds While On Oxygen At Home

Adjusting to daily oxygen therapy may come with discomfort at the beginning. Your ear, nose, and mouth need some adjusting. But if you take the treatment for the dry nose yourself, you will reap the benefits of supplemental oxygen. 
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Clinical Applications Specialist: Dr. James Bennett

Oxygen systems, including oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks, bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), may cause side effects. On the bright side, several home remedies and over-the-counter medications combat the side effects. They include dryness in the mouth and nose, soar throat, and itching in the ears. The most common side effect is a dry nose and mouth because of breathing dry air. 

Adjusting to daily oxygen therapy may come with discomfort at the beginning. Your ear, nose, and mouth need some adjusting. But if you take the treatment for the dry nose yourself, you will reap the benefits of supplemental oxygen. 

This article will help you deal with these symptoms with some simple techniques.

 

Why Do You Get Nosebleeds While Using Oxygen?

Nosebleeds while using oxygen may be caused by a dry nose (rhinitis sicca). Other symptoms of a dry nose include itchiness, discomfort, and cracking in the nasal cavity. Medical oxygen has no moister, so frequent or occasional use can cause nasal dryness. The best thing is that you can overcome this side effect easily.

Another cause of nosebleeds while using oxygen is the plastic prongs rubbing against the septum, making it raw. You need to talk with your health provider about the best quality of prongs to use during therapy. Luckily, prongs vary in size for individual fitting. 

Nosebleeds, while using oxygen, are not limited to the above causes; other medical conditions may be involved.

Main Causes Of Nosebleeds Are:

  • Hot, low, humid climates
  • High altitudes
  • Heated indoor spaces (make the air dry, leading to the dryness of the nasal membrane)
  • A foreign object trauma
  • Nose/face injury
  • A deviated septum
  • Sleep apnea
  • An upper respiratory or sinus infection leads to frequent sneezing, nose blowing, and coughing.
  • Allergy-causing inflammation of the nasal lining.
  • Frequent use of decongestants or antihistamines. They prevent nasal congestion by drying the mucous membranes.
  • Blood thinning medications like NSAID, warfarin, or aspirin.
  • Inhaling chemical fumes.
  • Use of recreational drugs.

Main Causes Of Nosebleeds Are:

  • Bleeding disorders, like von Willebrand disease or hemophilia.
  • High blood pressure
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Nasal tumors

6 Home Remedies for Preventing Dry Nose from Oxygen Therapy

COPD patients may experience dry nose due to oxygen intake, body conditions, and medication side effects. Whatever the cause of dryness, these six home remedies can prevent a dry nose from oxygen therapy.

However, if the symptoms persist, you should consult your respiratory therapist.

1. Use a Humidifier With an Oxygen Concentrator

Changes in humidity can lead to respiratory tract infections, especially in the nasal cavity. Pure oxygen from cylinders and concentrators is mainly delivered as a dry gas without moisture. As you breathe in, it dries your nasal membrane.

Connect your oxygen concentrator with a humidifier bottle to prevent a dry nose. The bottle uses distilled water, which is heated to add moisture to the oxygen when breathing. Many COPD patients support the use of a humidifier in controlling nosebleeds.

If your concentrator doesn’t support a humidification option, you can use a room humidifier to moisturize your home. 

2. Switch to an Oxygen Nasal Mask Instead of Nasal Prongs

A person using supplemental oxygen can be at risk of nosebleeds. The nasal prongs can irritate the inside of their nose or cause trauma, resulting in nosebleeds while on oxygen. In such a situation, adding a humidifier may help.

Otherwise, you can switch to an oxygen mask instead of nasal prongs for your general wellness.

3. Use a Specialized Saline Nasal Spray or Gel

You can use a saline nasal spray to moisturize your nose. The spray also helps to clean out pollen, dust, and dirt. It can also help to relieve congestion. There is also an option for nasal saline gel. Some people prefer the gel type. They feel it stays better than the liquid form.

Saline nasal sprays are available over the counter at pharmacies. They are generally mild. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Alternatively, you can use a homemade saline solution, neti pot, or bulb syringe to irrigate your nasal passages. You can also use a cotton swab when applying a nasal gel.

4. Keep the Nasal Prongs Clean to Prevent Bacterial Growth

It is essential to clean the different parts of your oxygen machine regularly. These include the oxygen concentrator, tubing, humidifier bottle, facemask, nasal cannula, and prongs. 

Regularly cleaning these accessories prevents bacteria, germs, dust, and mold buildup. Bacteria growth in the breathing machine system can cause respiratory infections and irritation in the nasal cavity.

Ensure you use the recommended procedure and materials during cleaning. You should also clean and change your oxygen concentrator filters per manufacturer instructions.

5. Stay Hydrated

Little fluid intake can lead to dehydration of body tissues, including the nasal passages. Dehydration can also lead to various health issues. They include fatigue, constipation, headaches, and dizziness. 

Previously, medical advice recommended eight glasses of water per day. However, speak with your healthcare professional to determine the proper amount of daily fluid intake. The recommendation is to drink plenty of fluids during the daytime and whenever you feel thirsty for enough hydration.

6. Avoid Leaking Oxygen Masks.

If you already use a humidifier and still get a dry nose or dry mouth, it may be due to a leak in your oxygen mask. The humid air could escape through the leakage, causing a severe dry nose. 

That is why checking for leaks on your oxygen mask is necessary. Use a non-leaking oxygen mask for your well-being whenever taking medical supplemental oxygen. It helps to avoid mouth and nose dryness after oxygen intake.

Can You Use Vaseline For Nosebleeds During Oxygen Therapy?

Vaseline or other petroleum jelly should not be used during oxygen therapy. Exposing vaseline to concentrated oxygen may pose a risk of combustion. It may also irritate the nasal cavity, leading to further nosebleeding. Thus, it's unsuitable for patients already experiencing dryness from oxygen therapy.

Health professionals recommended using water-based lubricants such as KY jelly, which don’t pose a risk of combustion.

How to Stop Nosebleed While on Oxygen

Blood from your nose or even on a loved one can be alarming. But most nosebleeds aren’t severe. You can easily manage them at home. But you should seek medical attention if:

  • You have frequent nosebleeds.
  • You are anemic.
  • Experiencing shortness of breath.
  • The nosebleed occurs after starting a new medication.
  • The nosebleeds together with unusual bruising all over the body. It may indicate a more serious condition such as a nasal tumor, leukemia, or blood-clotting disorder.

Treating a nosebleed at home is a simple procedure. You will need a tissue or damp cloth to catch the blood. However, you should be ready for the mess. 

Steps for Stopping a Nosebleed Quickly:

  • You have frequent nosebleeds.

Remove the breathing parts if the nosebleed starts when using the oxygen machine. It will avoid messing with the prongs. Ensure you clean them before reusing them. 

  • Sit the victim leaning forward with elbow to knee.

Leaning forward prevents the blood from draining to the back of the throat. It makes the patient avoid swallowing blood.

Swallowed blood can be irritating to your stomach and nauseous. Retching and vomiting can increase nose bleeding due to increased pressure in the nasal cavity.

  • Pinch your nostrils

Pinch both nostrils at the soft part using your thumb and index finger to shut them. Use your mouth to breathe while holding the nose. Continue closing the nostrils for 15 minutes before checking if the bleeding has stopped.

The trick puts pressure on the nasal septum, where most nosebleeds originate.

  • Spray a nasal decongestant inside your nose.

You can spray an over-the-counter nasal decongestant like Afrin into the nostrils if the bleeding doesn’t stop after pinching for 15 minutes. The medicine makes your nose constrict and helps with bleeding.

 Remember, most nosebleeds stop within the first 15 minutes.

However, if the bleeding persists, have someone take you to the ER or call the emergency number. 

To prevent further bleeding episodes, you should:

  • Avoid picking your nose
  • Avoid blowing your nose
  • Avoid activities that need you to bend down for long
  • Avoid strenuous or vigorous activity

Sources

I am Dr. Jonathan Reed, a proud member of the readyO₂ team. With a background in respiratory therapy, I’m dedicated to helping those in need by answering questions and providing clarity. I strive to educate and inspire our audience by making complex topics accessible and engaging. My goal is to educate and inspire our audience, ensuring they have the information necessary to make informed decisions about their health. It’s a privilege to support individuals on their journey to better breathing and well-being.

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