A nosebleed occurs when the lining of the inside of your nose bleeds. The medical name for a nosebleed is epistaxis. The nose is more prone to bleeding because the tissue inside of the nose has lots of tiny vessels running through it that are easily irritated. Luckily, a nosebleed is just a little annoying – usually nothing serious.
There are two types of nosebleeds: anterior nosebleeds and posterior nosebleeds. Anterior nosebleeds start in the front of your nose. This part of your nose is made of cartilage. Getting a nosebleed here is extremely common, especially for young children.
Posterior nosebleeds come from farther back in the nose and usually start in a larger blood vessel. This can result in heavier bleeding and may require medical attention.
Usually, the only symptom of a nosebleed is the blood coming from the nose. If you experience other symptoms, it may be indicative of an underlying condition.
Nosebleeds have several possible causes, including:
However, the most common cause of nosebleeds is simply exposure to dry, hot air.
Risk factors for nosebleeds include being between the ages of two and 10 or 40 and 85, being pregnant, having a blood-clotting disorder, and taking blood-thinning medications.
If you see your doctor about the severity or frequency of nosebleeds, they will want to know how long your nosebleeds last, how often they occur, and if you bleed from one or both nostrils. They’ll also take a medical history to understand what other factors may contribute to your nosebleeds.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and look at your nose to see if there are any apparent abnormalities or signs of where the bleeding has been coming from. They may temporarily numb the inside of your nose, making the blood vessels smaller. They may also order imaging scans if they suspect an underlying disorder.
If you have a blood-clotting disorder or are on blood-thinning medications, a nosebleed could lead to a dangerous loss of blood if it persists. Always seek treatment for a persistent nosebleed if you have an underlying condition.
If you experience a nosebleed, lean forward so the blood does not run down your throat. Use a tissue or washcloth to absorb the blood as you pinch the soft part of the nose right under the bony edge. Do not pinch at or above the bony part of the nose. Pinch your nose until the bleeding has stopped. You can also put an ice pack on the bridge of your nose and spray decongestant in the side that’s bleeding once.
Contact your doctor for treatment if you have frequent nosebleeds, you feel faint, cold, or weak, you have a child under 2 with a nosebleed, you’re on blood thinners and the bleeding will not stop, the nosebleed seems to be occurring due to starting a new medication, or you notice other signs of a bleeding disorder, like lots of bruises.
Your doctor can pack the nose with gauze or an inflatable balloon to stop the bleeding, seal the blood vessel with a chemical substance, perform surgery, talk with you about adjusting your medication, or tie off the bleeding blood vessel to treat you in the hospital.
Prevention of nosebleeds involves blowing your nose with your mouth open, using a humidifier, using saline solution often, and refraining from smoking.