A nosebleed, or epistaxis, is the loss of blood from the tissues that line the inside of the nose, as defined by the University of California Los Angeles Health System. Nosebleeds can be a bit frightening to the person who is having one but they are rarely a life-threatening situation. Most nosebleeds have been observed to occur on the front of the nasal septum. The UCLA Health System states the causes of a nosebleed as irritation of the nose lining, allergic rhinitis, barotrauma, repeated sneezing and injury to the nose.
Irritation of the Nose Lining
One of the most common causes of a nosebleed is the irritation of the nose lining, according to the UCLA Health System. The nose is full of many tiny and delicate blood vessels. Dry air moving through the nose can irritate the membranes covering these vessels. When a person is irritated by this dryness and scratches or picks the nose, the blood vessels can be damaged, causing the nose to bleed.
Allergic Rhinitis
Another cause of nosebleeds is an allergic rhinitis. MedlinePlus describes allergic rhinitis as a combination of various symptoms in the eyes and nose. It is basically the reaction of the eyes and nose to an allergen that has gone into the nose. An allergen can be any external substance that triggers an allergic reaction.
Barotraumas
Barotraumas, as defined by MedlinePlus, are discomfort and sometimes damage to the ear due to a pressure difference between the air inside the eardrum and that outside it. Due to the intricate connections between the ear, nose and throat, damage to the ear can cause a nosebleed.
Repeated Sneezing and Injury to the Nose
The nose is full of tiny sensitive blood vessels. When a person sneezes over and over again and with a lot of force, it is very easy to burst these fine blood vessels and develop a nosebleed.
Any kind of trauma to the nose, like a hard punch, also can bring a nosebleed.
