Several things can trigger a nosebleed. The most common cause is dry air, either from having the heat on in winter or being in a hot, low-humidity climate. Other causes include: Nosebleeds usually aren’t serious. You can treat most by yourself at home by doing the following: Once the bleeding has stopped, do not touch or blow your nose. This may start it bleeding again. But if it does restart, gently blow your nose to get rid of any blood clots. You can also spray a decongestant such as
oxymetazoline (Afrin, Mucinex, or Vicks
Sinex) in both nostrils. Then pinch your nostrils shut and breathe through your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes. Call your doctor if: If your
doctor can’t get your nosebleed to stop with pressure, they might try: Cauterization.This procedure burns a blood vessel closed. After your doctor numbs your nose, they’ll use either a heated electronic device (an electrocautery) or a chemical called silver nitrate to close the leaky blood vessel. Packing.Your doctor puts a latex balloon or gauze into your nostril. This puts a lot of pressure on a blood vessel until it closes. Nosebleeds
Why Is My Nose Bleeding?
How to Prevent Nosebleeds
You can’t always prevent nosebleeds from happening, but there are certain things you can do to help lower your chances of getting them:
- Keep the inside of your nose moist. Dryness can cause nosebleeds. Use a cotton swab to gently smear a thin layer petroleum jelly in your nostrils three times a day, including before you go to sleep. You can also use an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Polysporin.
- Use a saline nasal product. Spraying it in your nostrils helps keep the inside of your nose moist.
- Use a humidifier. Your nostrils might be dry because the air in your house is dry.
- Don’t smoke.Smoking can irritate the inside of your nose and dry it out.
- Don’t pick your nose. Also, don’t blow or rub it too hard. If your child is getting nosebleeds, keep their fingernails short and discourage them from picking their nose.
- Don’t use cold and allergy medications too often. These can dry out your nose. In some cases, certain medications can cause nosebleeds or make them worse. You may need to discuss your medications with your doctor. But keep taking them unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on September 17, 2022 If you’ve ever wiped your nose and seen blood, you’ve had a nosebleed. They’re common: One out of
every seven people in the United States will get a one at some point. They’re most common in kids between 2 and 10 years old and adults between 50 and 80 years old. A nosebleed comes from the front of your nose (anterior) or the back of it (posterior). It can be hard to tell if you have a posterior or anterior nosebleed. Both can make blood flow toward the back of your throat if you’re lying on your back. But posterior nosebleeds can be much more serious. You’re more likely to need emergency help. Most are spontaneous, meaning they happen unexpectedly and don’t have a known cause. But if you get nosebleeds a lot, there may be a reason you can pinpoint: Nosebleeds can also be caused by bleeding disorders, but it’s rare. If your nosebleed doesn’t stop, or you have a lot of bleeding from your gums or when you get minor cuts, see a doctor. Bleeding disorders can be serious because platelets in your blood that help it clot are missing or aren’t working. Nosebleed Causes
Types of Nosebleeds
Nosebleed Causes
Another rare cause of nosebleeds can be a tumor in the nose or sinuses. It may be noncancerous, also called benign, or cancerous. Only about 2,000 cases of cancerous tumors in the nose or sinuses are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
In some cases, nosebleeds can be caused by genes passed down in families. A rare condition called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) affects the blood vessels. The main symptom is repeated nosebleeds that seem to come out of nowhere and get worse over time.
If you have HHT, you might wake up at night with your pillow soaked in blood, and you may develop red spots on your face or hands. If one or both of your parents has this condition and you’re having nosebleeds, ask your doctor about being tested for it. Treatments can help improve your symptoms.