Getting a nosebleed can be quite alarming, especially if you’re an individual lucky enough to not be predisposed to them. However, many of the causes of nosebleeds are benign, and most nosebleeds can be easily treated at home. Commonwealth ENT shares some causes and solutions for your (or your child’s) next nosebleed.
Common Causes
The most common causes of nosebleeds are fairly straightforward: overly dry air, and nose picking. Dry air weakens the mucous membranes of your nasal passages, making them more prone to injury, and nose picking causes mechanical damage to your nasal passages that can lead to bleeding.
Nosebleeds can also be caused by allergies, sinusitis or viral infection, bleeding disorders or anticoagulant usage, exposure to irritants such as cleaning chemicals, excessive nasal spray usage, and trauma to the nose.
Not So Common Causes
It’s not typical, but nosebleeds can also be associated with rare disorders. It can be caused by certain cancers, by blood disorders, and polyps or tumors of the nose. Of course, bleeding from the nose can also follow nasal surgery. Rarely, nosebleeds are associated with alcoholism.
While it’s a common fear that nosebleeds are a symptom of dangerously high blood pressure, this is typically not the case. However, it’s always a good idea to get the opinion of a medical professional if you’re concerned that your nosebleed is a sign of something serious.
At-Home Treatment
Most nosebleeds can be treated at home. To get a nosebleed to stop, you typically want to sit upright while leaning forward and pinching your nostrils shut for 5 to 10 minutes; this prevents you from swallowing blood, and helps to apply pressure to the septum which is usually where the bleeding is originating. After stopping the bleeding, don’t blow your nose for a few hours, and try to keep your head elevated.
When To Seek Help
While most nosebleeds are harmless and will resolve on their own, there are times when you should seek medical help. Get emergency help immediately if:
- The nose is bleeding following some kind of head injury or accident that could have caused a head injury
- The nose is bleeding heavily
- The nosebleed lasts longer than a half hour despite attempting self treatment
- The nosebleed is making it difficult to breathe
- The nosebleed is occurring in a child younger than 2
In the case of chronic nosebleeds that have become an inconvenience, an ENT may be able to assist. They can examine your nasal passages to determine what is causing the chronic nosebleeds, and from there can suggest a course of treatment. In most cases the suggested treatment involves lifestyle changes (such as cessation of smoking or application of moisturizers to the nose) to prevent what is triggering the nosebleeds, but in more extreme cases there are other treatments available, such as sclerotherapy, which shrinks faulty blood vessels in the nose so that blood is rerouted to healthy vessels that don’t cause chronic bleeding.
The experienced and dedicated professionals at Commonwealth ENT are well-versed in diagnosing the causes of and treating your nosebleeds. If you are suffering from chronic nosebleeds, contact us at (804) 378-7443 for an appointment in our Midlothian office and at (804) 525-4231 for an appointment in our Richmond office.