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Definition

Nosebleed refers to blood flowing from the nose or nasal passage. There are two types of nosebleeds:

  • Anterior nosebleed—blood coming from the front of the nose, usually the semi-rigid walls that separate the two nostrils. This is the most common type of nosebleed.
  • Posterior nosebleed—bleeding starts deep within the nose. It is often more difficult to treat and more severe than an anterior nosebleed.

The Nasal Passage

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Causes

Causes include:

  • Irritation or breakage to the lining of the nose
  • Injury to the nasal tissue, which occurs more easily when nasal structure is not normal or the passages are inflamed due to a cold or allergies
  • Exceptionally dry nasal tissue
  • Picking or bumping the nose
  • Forceful blowing or rubbing the nose
  • A clot from a previous nosebleed becoming disturbed or dislodged
  • A foreign object placed in the nose
  • Tumors of the nose and/or sinuses
  • Hypertension]]> (high blood pressure)
  • Use of aspirin or other blood thinning (anticoagulant) medications
  • Other causes of tendency toward excessive bleeding, including ]]>hemophilia]]>

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Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for nosebleed include:

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Symptoms

Nosebleed symptoms differ, depending on where in the nose the bleeding begins.

  • Anterior nosebleed—produces blood flow from one nostril when the patient sits or stands. Blood may pass down the throat if the person is coughing or blowing the nose.
  • Posterior nosebleed—causes bleeding down the back of the mouth and throat. When the patient leans forward, the blood may flow from the nostril. Blood flow may be fast or slow.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your pulse and blood pressure will be taken carefully, because severe bleeding can cause these to become dangerously low.

Tests may include:

  • Sinus x-rays]]> —to identify abnormalities or a mass in the nasal region
  • Endoscopy—using a thin, lighted tube to examine nasal tissues not visible from the front of the nose
  • Blood tests—to check for anemia, low blood platelets, or clotting problems

Treatment

Most anterior nosebleeds stop without medical care within 30 minutes. Posterior nosebleeds usually are more serious and need medical care. Go to your doctor if there is a lot of blood, if the bleeding will not stop, or if you experience nosebleeds often. Treatment may include sealing off the blood vessel that is bleeding.

Self-Care

  1. Stay calm.
  2. Sit up and lean forward.
  3. Pinch the soft parts of your nose together and hold for ten minutes without releasing pressure.
  4. You may want to place a cotton ball soaked with a decongestant spray, like Afrin or Neo-Synephrine, in the nostril before pinching.
  5. Place a bag of crushed ice, wrapped in a cloth, or a cold washcloth on the nose and cheeks.
  6. Once the bleeding stops, do not pick or blow your nose.
  7. Avoid straining, bending, or lifting.
  8. Sit up. If the bleeding starts again, try to remove clots.
  9. Spray a nasal decongestant four times into each nostril before pinching and holding.

Medical Intervention

For an anterior nosebleed, the doctor will place a compress soaked in a medication that constricts or shrinks the blood vessel and reduces the pain. Pressure will be applied by pinching the nostrils together. The doctor may pack the area with gauze. In more severe cases, the doctor may cauterize, or seal off, a blood vessel that does not clot on its own.

A posterior nosebleed may require inserting and inflating a special balloon that applies pressure on the area. If all medical attempts to control bleeding fail, surgery may be needed.

If you are diagnosed with a nosebleed, follow your doctor's instructions .

Prevention

To reduce the chance of getting a nosebleed:

  • Lubricate dry nasal passages near the front of the nose. Place a small dab of lubricating cream or ointment on your fingertip. Apply the lubricant to the inside of the nose. You may do this at bedtime or up to three times during the day. Polysporin, zinc oxide, and Vaseline are examples of lubricants that may be used.
  • Use a saline nasal spray to help keep nasal passages moist. Be sure that the nose spray does not contain medications, such as phenylephrine or oxymetazoline. These types of medications should be used for only a few consecutive days.
  • Do not pick your nose.
  • Humidify the air, especially in bedrooms.