Though common and\nsometimes frightening, nosebleeds are rarely anything more than a nuisance.\nThey are usually the result of minor irritations in the nasal passages, and\nmost common in children younger than 10, or adults older than 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the membranes lining\nthe inside of the nose dry out and become irritated, the blood vessels break,\ncausing a nosebleed. These are more common in the winter months, when the air\nis cold and dry. Other factors that may contribute to nosebleeds include colds\nand allergies, sinus infections, nose picking, blowing the nose too hard,\nfrequent sneezing, overuse of nasal sprays, foreign objects in the nose, and\ntrauma to the nose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If nosebleeds are chronic\nor occur frequently, they may be the result of high blood pressure or other\nvascular diseases or, in rare cases, a serious medical condition like a tumor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nose is prone to\nbleeding due to a large number of blood vessels close to the surface,\nespecially in the cartilage of the nasal septum. When these burst, blood may\ntrickle (or in some instances, seep) from the nose. This is most often the\nresult of trauma to the nose, blowing or picking the nose, and dry or cold air.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other causes include\nsinus infections, colds and allergies, foreign objects in the nasal cavity,\nblood clotting disorders, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and overuse of\nnasal sprays. Aspirin can exacerbate the condition. A hereditary disorder known\nas hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is characterized by malformed blood\nvessels that break easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most nosebleeds originate\nin the front of the nose and are characterized as anterior nosebleeds. These\nare easy to control and rarely pose a problem. Posterior nosebleeds are rare,\nbut much more serious. They originate from an artery in the back of the nose,\nand require immediate hospitalization and treatment. These are most common in\nthe elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are experiencing a\nnosebleed, first and foremost, stay calm! Though your nosebleed may look\nserious, chances are there is much less blood than appearances would lead you\nto believe. Sit down and lean forward slightly while pinching your nostrils\ntogether using a thumb and index finger. Hold this position for at least five\nminutes, or until the bleeding has stopped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Refrain from blowing your\nnose afterwards. If the bleeding hasn\u2019t stopped after 20 minutes or is the\nresult of an injury to the face, seek medical attention. We can deal with a\nbleeding nose by cauterizing the blood vessels or inserting packing into the\nnasal cavities. Sometimes, anticoagulants and anti-inflammatories can cause\nnosebleeds. If you suspect this is the case, talk to us about alternative\nmedications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are prone to\nfrequent nosebleeds, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Keep the\nnasal lining moist with a light coating of petroleum jelly several times a day,\nor use a saline nasal spray. Run a humidifier, especially if you live in a dry\nclimate. Quit smoking; this causes dryness and irritation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may want to consult\nan otolaryngologist if recurring nosebleeds are a problem. If you\u2019ve ever had a\nnosebleed, you may have been startled \u2013 and a little afraid \u2013 at seeing blood\ncoming from your nostril(s). Fortunately, most nosebleeds are minor and rarely\na cause for alarm. It is estimated that one out of every seven individuals\nsuffers from at least one nosebleed in his or her lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n