Jab = Instant Nose Bleeds

[The Student]

Recently I started sparring a bit and learned that I have an extremely weak nose. Every time I get lightly grazed on my nose, I have instant nose bleeds.

I'm not one of those guys that grew up having random nose bleeds, but if it's touched, it's sure to leak.

Does your nose eventually adjust and toughen up over time or is this something I just have to learn to deal with by religiously protecting my nose?

I also hear that snorting salt water is good for that, but I'm not really sure.

Any ideas?

[HerbM]

That doesn't sound good and I seriously doubt that you nose will "toughen up" with more 'practice'.

Maybe some of the long experienced coaches have seen a lot of such cases and will know for sure.

My advice would be to consider seeing an ENT (ear nose throat) doctor -- my wife has a problem with nose bleeds (and she's not even a fighter) and her doctor tried cauterization, but in any case a specialist can determine if there is some repairable problem or something that is going to get worse etc....

(BTW, my wife still gets an occasional nose bleed, but they are much fewer and it has been a while since the last one.)

Funny thing is a good friend of mine who light spars with me sometimes and is one of the assistant coaches in our gym got one tonight while we were going light.

NO, I did NOT bust his nose -- we both agreed that I likely didn't even hit him, but he just gets nose bleeds under some conditions.

See what the coaches here say, but do consider a visit to the ENT specialist for a medical opinion.

BTW, what are your goals in boxing and your age? It is going to possibly affect the answers you will need to hear.

--
Herb

[Chris Nagel]

I haven't had much trouble, so I can't really relate or tell you what the source of the problem could be. For a temporary solution, I've heard of guys getting the blood vessels in their nose cauterized. It's worth looking into, at least ask your doctor and see you have any other problems. Perhaps it just need needs to heal, and getting hit keeps breaking the blood vessels.

Now, if you're trying to stop the bleeding between rounds, you should lean forward, either sitting or standing so that the blood doesn't go down your throat. Grab a towel and pinch your nostrils together just below your nose's bridge. Don't blow your nose.

Anyway, I remember Scrap telling us he had his septum surgically removed! I wonder if that would prevent any nose bleeds. It sounds pretty drastic to me, only get it if you really need it.

[The Student]

That doesn't sound good and I seriously doubt that you nose will "toughen up" with more 'practice'.

Maybe some of the long experienced coaches have seen a lot of such cases and will know for sure.

My advice would be to consider seeing an ENT (ear nose throat) doctor -- my wife has a problem with nose bleeds (and she's not even a fighter) and her doctor tried cauterization, but in any case a specialist can determine if there is some repairable problem or something that is going to get worse etc....

(BTW, my wife still gets an occasional nose bleed, but they are much fewer and it has been a while since the last one.)

Funny thing is a good friend of mine who light spars with me sometimes and is one of the assistant coaches in our gym got one tonight while we were going light.

NO, I did NOT bust his nose -- we both agreed that I likely didn't even hit him, but he just gets nose bleeds under some conditions.

See what the coaches here say, but do consider a visit to the ENT specialist for a medical opinion.

BTW, what are your goals in boxing and your age? It is going to possibly affect the answers you will need to hear.

--
Herb

yup, I guess seeing an ENT would be my best bet. I heard about cauterization, but I guess I need to find out what that really entails and what the side effects are.

I dont ever recall getting a nose bleed out of nowhere, it just seems like it's extremely delicate to blows.

And my goals in boxing are.. to fight amature possibly for a few years. I would have loved to potentially go pro, but I'm 23 now, so realistically that's more a dream than it is a goal. Once I gain a a good foundation and understanding of the sport I would love to be a trainer/coach.

--

.. and Chris, I dont think it's an issue of healing because the first time I sparred (well first time was body only). But the first time I did full contact sparring was just me working my defense, and the first jab I took to the nose I was bleeding. Throughout the day I think I bled on 3 separate occasions from shots to the nose. Then I waited a week, and sure enough first shot I took, I was bleeding.

Also my eyes water up like craaazzyy, but I guess that's pretty much normal when taking a shot to the nose.


I hope there's something I can do because its a bit odd worrying more about getting hit in the nose than u are about getting hit on the chin.

[Scrap]

You may have an internal cut, which isnt having time to Heal. You could try Arnica tablets for a week, give it a rest the Sparring.

[The Student]

But Scrap, would giving it a rest even help, if the first time I sparred, and caught my first punch to the nose, I started bleeding.

I understand if I caught a vicious blow.. but it was a simple jab, like almost a tap.

Unless it was some sort of pre-boxing injury.. But I havent even fist fought for years.


.. and if I were to give sparring rest, how long would you suggest?

[Scrap]

It happened to me when I started and many others. It also depends what sort of nose you have, as regarding bridge and cartiledge. Give it time.

[The Student]

all right, will do... Thanks Scrap

[nikola_ganchev]

With me was the same. At the begining even a jab on my guard trigered the nose bleeding... The solution for me was easy... I must warm up my nose and ears vary good.

P.S. Sorry for the bad englisch

[HerbM]

Again, a visit to an ENT is in order.

Another idea might be to obtain one of the head guards that has nose protection, just to avoid the issue for a while.

This won't work for (amateur) competition, but it will let you practice without the inconvenience of constant injury. I see many of the in my "Title" catalog (from many of brands and labels, not just the Title name.)

--
HerbM

[The Student]

^^ yea I was thinking of that for a bit too Herb.. but I just got laid off work, so I don't think I'll be able to afford new headgear right now.

I believe my cousin has one with a nose bar, maybe I can see if I can borrow his for a bit.

Thanks for all the help guys.