Vitamin C Treatment For Nosebleeds

An adequate supply of vitamin C is important for maintaining the health of your immune system and for the production of collagen. While most healthy people receive enough vitamin C through food sources, a lack of vitamin C can lead to a condition known as scurvy. One symptom commonly associated with scurvy is nosebleeds.

Nosebleeds

A nosebleed is a loss of blood from the nose's tissue lining. A nosebleed usually only occurs in one nostril at a time. Your nose contains many small blood vessels that can bleed easily. Air moving through your nose can irritate the membranes lining your nose, causing a crust to form. Crust can bleed as the result of picking, blowing or rubbing your nose. Your nose can also become irritated and bleed as the result of colds, allergies and low humidity. On occasion a nosebleed can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a bleeding disorder, high blood pressure or a tumor. Nosebleeds are traditionally treated at home by squeezing the bottom portion of your nose and leaning forward for 10 minutes. Frequent nosebleeds and nosebleeds that continue to bleed for more than 20 minutes require medical care.

Vitamin C Deficiency

A vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy; it is extremely rare in developed countries. Symptoms of scurvy include easy bleeding and bruising, hair loss, loss of teeth, and joint pain and swelling. Nosebleeds can occur as the result of weakened blood vessels. Scurvy can also cause weakening of the bones and connective tissue. Bone, blood vessels and connective tissues all contain collagen, which vitamin C helps produce. A lack of vitamin C can also weaken your immune system, which can lead to an increase in colds that can irritate the lining of your nose.

Vitamin C Function

Vitamin C -- also referred to as ascorbic acid -- is a water-soluble vitamin that, along with its other functions, aids in the synthesis of norepinephrine -- a neurotransmitter important to brain function and your mood. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that can help to prevent pollutants and toxins from attacking the lining of your nostrils.

Sources and Doses

Food sources of vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, berries, broccoli, potatoes, sweet red peppers and cantaloupes. To prevent nosebleeds as well as scurvy, follow the daily recommended intake for vitamin C. Children ages 1 to 3 should consume 15 mg; ages 4 to 8, 25 mg; and ages 9 to 13, 45 mg per day. Adolescent males ages 14 to 18 should consume 75 mg and females should consume 65 mg per day. Men over the age of 19 should consume 90 mg and women should consume 75 mg per day.