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K-Y Jelly Lubricates Nose

Q. My nose gets terribly dry in the winter and I frequently get nosebleeds. I used to use Vicks VapoRub to moisturize it but read in your column this is a bad idea. My doctor told me to use K-Y Jelly, and it works great to prevent nosebleeds.

A. Pulmonologists have warned against using petroleum jelly in the nostrils since such products may be bad for the lungs. K-Y Jelly is a water-based sexual lubricant, so the risk is much lower. Saline nasal sprays may also help moisten dry nasal tissues.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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