Nosebleed Causes and Treatment
Loss of blood from the nose from the small blood vessels that line the tissue inside your nose. Epistaxis or nosebleeds are common. A majority of people have at least one nosebleed at some point in their lives. In the tissue lining the nose, blood vessels are fragile, and they bleed easily. The centre position of the nose in the face and the presence of a large number of blood vessels make it prone to bleeding easily. The nose is an easy target for injury or trauma – that’s why it bleeds easily.
There are two types of nosebleeds: 1. Anterior nosebleeds – Blood vessels in the front of the nose break and bleed; 2. Posterior nosebleeds – Blood vessels in the back part of the nose break and bleed. In this type, blood flows down the back of the throat. Frequent nosebleeds can be an indication of a serious health issue, especially the posterior ones. Anterior nosebleeds are common in children. Posterior nosebleeds are common in adults. Nosebleeds are common in children between the ages of 3 and 10 and also in adults.
Nosebleed Causes
There are many causes of nosebleeds – dry air is the most common, though. This can be seen in a hot, low-humidity climate. Usually, the tissues lining the nasal membrane dry out in a hot and dry environment, and by the use of a central heating system. The dryness causes itching and irritation. If the nose is picked or scratched, it bleeds.
The other common causes of nosebleeds include the following:
- High altitudes
- Allergies
- Repeated sneezing
- Nose infections (upper respiratory tract infection)
- Blowing nose frequently, forcefully, and hard
- Picking the nose
- Cold or sinus infections
- A blow or injury to the nose
- Sudden fall or fatal hit
- Side effects of medication
- Allergic reaction
- Foreign objects in the nose
- Chemical irritants
- Excessive aspirin use
- Blood clotting disorder
- Bleeding disorders
- High blood pressure
- Frequent use of antihistamines or decongestants
- Deviated septum
A sudden blow, a punch in the face, a car accident, or a sudden fall can cause a nosebleed. Nosebleeds following an injury may indicate internal bleeding, skull fracture, or a broken nose. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience a nosebleed longer than usual.
Nosebleed Treatment
An ENT doctor conducts a physical examination to determine the cause of your nosebleed. There is generally no single test to determine the cause; tests include:
- CBC (Complete blood count)
- PTT (Partial thromboplastin time)
- Nasal endoscopy
- CT scan of the nose
- X-ray of the nose and face
Depending on the type and cause of the nosebleed, treatment will vary. An anterior nosebleed can be treated at home by applying a cold press over the bridge of your nose or by using a nasal spray.
One should not treat posterior nosebleeds at home. This type of nosebleed is less common, but serious. Seek an appointment with an ENT expert immediately if your nosebleed doesn’t stop; in that case, you might be having a posterior nosebleed that requires invasive treatment.
To stop a persistent nosebleed, a medical technique called cauterization can be used, depending on the condition. In this type of treatment, an ENT doctor burns the blood vessels in your nose with silver nitrate or a cautery (Electric radiation to heat the object) to remove tissue.
If you think that you could be having a posterior nosebleed or if you can’t stop bleeding from an anterior nosebleed, which could also be a serious problem, then contact us immediately.
If you are unsure about the type of nosebleed you have or when you see that your nosebleed is lasting longer than usual, for around 20 minutes or more, or if it occurs after an injury, then seek immediate medical help. It could be a posterior nosebleed.