Nosebleeds: Causes, Procedure, Treatment & Prevention

Overview

The nose consists of many blood vessels situated close to the surface at the front and back of the nose. These blood vessels are very fragile and may bleed easily, causing nosebleeds.

Nosebleeds can be common and scary but that does not make them a serious medical issue. It generally occurs in adults and children between the ages of three to ten.

Posterior nosebleeds can be dangerous as these develop in the back or deepest area of the nose, causing blood to flow down the back of the throat.

Doctors at Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, are dedicated and eager to support you throughout the treatment. They always believe in sharing the needful information you may need about various illnesses and are committed to doing so. This article will help you know more about nosebleeds, their causes and treatment.

What are the Causes of Nosebleeds?

There can be many causes of nosebleeds. Infrequent or sudden nosebleeds are hardly serious but frequent nosebleeds can be a major cause of concern.

One of the most common causes of nosebleeds is dry air. Nasal membranes, i.e., the tissues inside the nose, can dry out in case you are living in a dry climate, resulting in crusting inside the nose. This can itch. On scratching, it may bleed.

Similarly, consumption of antihistamines and decongestants for colds, allergies, or sinus problems can also lead to dryness of the nasal membranes, resulting in nosebleeds. Frequent noseblowing can also be one of the causes of nosebleeds.

Some of the other causes of nosebleeds may include:

• Injury to nose
• A foreign object stuck in the nose
• Picking nose
• Allergic reaction
• Chemical irritants
• Repeated sneezing
• Blood clotting disorders
• Cold air
• High blood pressure
• Large doses of aspirin
• Bleeding disorders
• Upper respiratory infection
• Cancer

Although most nosebleeds do not require medical attention, you must consult a doctor if your nosebleeds last for more than twenty minutes or if the nosebleed has developed after an injury.

Some of the injuries that may cause nosebleeds may include falls, punches in the face, or a car accident. Nosebleeds that develop after an injury can be a sign of a broken nose, internal bleeding, or skull fracture.

Read Also: Let’s Take a Look At Some Common Nose Disorders & Diseases

What are the Diagnostic Procedures for Nosebleeds?

Your ENT doctor will perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your nosebleed. He or she will examine if there is any sign of a foreign object and may inquire about your medical history as well.

Inform your doctor about any other symptoms you have and about any recent injuries as well. Although there is no single test to determine the cause of a nosebleed, the doctor may conduct a few tests to determine the cause such as:

• Complete blood count (CBC), a blood test to check for blood disorders
• Partial thromboplastin time (PTT), a blood test to examine the duration of your blood clot
• CT scan of nose
• Nasal endoscopy
• X-ray of face and nose

Read Also: What Do You Understand By “Ear Infection”?

How is a Nosebleed Treated?

The treatment depends on the type and cause of the nosebleed. The types of nosebleeds and their treatments are as follows:

Anterior Nosebleed

In anterior nosebleeds, bleeding takes place from the front of the nose, generally a nostril. An anterior nosebleed may be treated at home.

Squeeze the soft area of the nose while sitting up. Keep your nostrils fully closed for ten minutes and slightly lean forward. Breathe through the mouth. Never lie down while trying to stop a nosebleed as this may lead to swallowing blood and irritate the stomach. Check if the bleeding has stopped after releasing the nostrils after ten minutes. You may repeat these steps in case the bleeding continues.

You may also use a nasal spray decongestant to close off the small blood vessels and even apply a cold compress over the bridge of the nose.

Consult your doctor if the problem continues and the bleeding does not stop.

Posterior Nosebleed

In the case of posterior nosebleeds, the bleeding takes place from the back of the nose and may flow down the throat from the back of the nose. Posterior nosebleeds are not common but more serious, compared to anterior nosebleeds.

Immediately consult a doctor in case of a posterior nosebleed.

Cauterization

Cauterization is a medical technique for stopping frequent nosebleeds. In this, the doctor burns the blood vessels in the nose using either a heating device or silver nitrate, a compound used to remove tissue.

The doctor may also pack the nose with cotton, foam, or gauze. Likewise, a balloon catheter may also be used to apply pressure to the blood vessels and stop bleeding.

In case of bleeding caused by foreign objects, the doctor will remove the object.

Read Also: Causes of Sore Throat & Medicines to Cure It

How to Prevent Nosebleeds?

There can be various ways to prevent nosebleeds:

• Use a humidifier in the house to keep the air moist.
• Avoid picking the nose.
• Reduce the intake of aspirin as this may thin your blood and contribute to nosebleeds. Consult the doctor about the use of aspirin.
• Limit the use of antihistamines and decongestants as these may dry out the nose.
• Use a saline spray to keep the nasal passages moist.

Takeaway

Nosebleeds can occur due to many reasons, especially dry air and nose scratching. Most of the nosebleeds are anterior nosebleeds and can be treated at home. However, in case the bleeding does not stop, you must consult a doctor.

Using nasal mists, keeping the air humidified at home, and avoiding scratching or picking the nose can be some ways to prevent nosebleeds.

Need to Consult a Doctor for Nosebleeds in Delhi NCR?

Otolaryngology or ENT at Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, has a team of well-experienced doctors who are highly skilled in treating the problems of ears, nose, and throat. We have a team of certified nose, ear, and throat physicians, surgeons, allergists, hearing specialists, and plastic surgeons to provide you with the best support and care throughout the treatment.

Dr. (Lt Col) Ravi Roy has expertise in CSF rhinorrhea and sinus surgeries. With 22 years of clinical experience in the Indian Army and 13 years as an otolaryngologist, he is frequently invited as a guest faculty at various ENT/endoscopic surgery workshops and conferences at various hospitals across the country.

Dr. Nripen Vishnoi has an experience of more than 13 years in the field of ENT, head & neck. He has performed more than 8000 ENT surgeries as well as more than fifty challenging endoscopic pituitary surgeries and CSF leak repair.