About Nosebleeds

Overview

Some people, especially children, have frequent nosebleeds for no reason other than the tiny blood vessels that line the nasal passageways are particularly close to the surface and are easily damaged. Bleeding usually occurs only in one nostril at a time. Nosebleeds can be caused by accidents, irritation of the nasal passages, dry weather conditions and, only occasionally, by more serious underlying medical conditions. Although scary at times, and often very messy, nosebleeds themselves are rarely harmful.

Symptoms

Most nosebleeds are spontaneous and occur without warning, but there may be some indication just before the bleeding starts. You may feel as if you have a runny nose and if you sniff in you may get a taste of blood as some of it trickles down your throat.

Causes

Nosebleeds may be due to an injury caused by banging or breaking the nose, an object stuck in the nose or nose picking.

Allergies, colds and sinus conditions are responsible for many nosebleeds. The excessive sneezing and nose blowing that results from these conditions promote further bleeding.

On occasion, chronic nosebleeds are found to be a symptom of nasal tumors, bleeding disorders, unregulated high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries or a genetic bleeding disorder known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). High doses of aspirin or prescription blood-thinning medication can also cause nosebleeds.

Treatment

As soon as a nosebleed starts, sit down, keep your head up but bent slightly forward, and pinch the bleeding nostril shut, just below the midsection of your nose, near the tip. Do this for several minutes. If your nose continues to bleed, try this again. You can also apply an ice pack to the side of your nose to help constrict the bleeding vessels to slow down or stop bleeding.

Use the tip of your finger to apply a dab of water-soluble nasal gel just inside your nostril, along the nasal septum that divides the nose. Do not stick a swab or anything else inside your nose. Try to wait at least 24 hours after a nosebleed before blowing your nose.

Prevention

Heated rooms and low humidity (dry air) aggravate the tissues in the nose and set the stage for nosebleeds in anyone who is prone. Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air, especially in the room where you sleep. Keep the room temperature as low as possible in winter months to avoid overheating the air.

Take warm showers before you go to sleep to relieve congestion and moisten your nasal passages. Hold a warm, wet washcloth to your eyes and nose to further reduce congestion.

Blow your nose as gently as possible to avoid aggravating nasal membranes and blood vessels. In dry seasons or heated rooms, keep your nasal passages moist with saline nasal sprays.

Concerns

Call your doctor if you cannot stop a routine nosebleed within 20 minutes. If a nosebleed occurs following a sudden headache or blow to the nose or head, get immediate medical help.

Contact your doctor if you suddenly develop chronic nosebleeds and if you develop other symptoms of internal bleeding, such as bruising easily, blood in the stool or red spots just under your skin.