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Our nose has a lot of small blood vessels lining the walls inside it. When these delicate blood vessels break, you will then have a nosebleed, or epistaxis, as doctors would call it.

We all know how frightening this could be, but most of the time they aren’t usually a sign of anything serious.

But even so, there are cases when the bleeding may require a visit to a doctor.

What Might Be Causing Your Nose To Bleed?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), exposure to dry or cold air as well as frequent nose picking might be two of the most common causes of nosebleed.

There are also other potential nosebleed causes such as:

Blowing your nose very hard
A minor injury to the nose
Allergies
Chronic cold or sinus problems
Putting objects up the nose
Hemophilia
Dengue hemorrhagic fever
Medications to thin the blood, eg. aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel

In less common instances, bleeding can be a symptom of high blood pressure, but it can also come from the blood vessels deeper within the nose, caused by either a blow to the head, recent nasal surgery or hardened arteries (atherosclerosis).

How Can I Stop My Nosebleed?

When you do get a nosebleed, the most important thing is that you should always remain calm and do not panic.

Follow these simple steps to properly manage a nosebleed.

1. Sit upright and lean forward

The most commonly misunderstood part in nosebleed first aid is that you should lie down or lean back to keep the blood from dripping down your face. But the proper treatment, however, is to lean forward.

Doing so will prevent blood from going down your throat, which could block the airway or go into the stomach. Blood may irritate the stomach lining and cause the patient to vomit suddenly.

2. Pinch the nose (correctly)

Firmly pinch the soft, fleshy part of your nose just below the bony bridge. Do not pinch the nostrils closed.

If you can, keep the pressure on for more than 5 minutes, preferably 10-15 minutes. This can help compress the blood vessels. Breathe through your mouth during this time.

Reminder: try not to let go to check for bleeding until 10 minutes is up. If bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes, repeat for another 10 minutes if need be.

3. Compress with Ice Pack

Apply ice or a chemical cold pack over the bridge of the nose to constrict the blood vessels and reduce the likelihood of re-bleeding.

Remember that ice isn’t going to fix nose bleeding by itself. So you should always use ice in addition to pressure.

What To Do After A Nosebleed

Once the bleeding subsides, there are still some after-care tips to prevent a nosebleed from happening again.

Avoid picking your nose

Since you’ve just had a nosebleed, do not try to irritate your nasal membranes further by picking your nose.

2. Don’t blow your nose

As tempting as it might be to blow your nose to get out the dried remnants of your nosebleed, it’s crucial for you to resist the urge to do so.

You are much more likely to have another nosebleed if you blow your nose within the next 24 hours.

3. Don’t Bend Down

Try to keep your activities light in the next 24 to 48 hours after the nosebleed.

Bending down or performing other straining activities can trigger another nosebleed.

When You Should See A Doctor

If the bleeding eventually stops, you won’t usually be needing medical attention. However, in some cases, you may need further treatment from your GP. Signs that you should see a doctor include:

The bleeding continues for longer than 20 minutes
A nosebleed that occurs after a vehicle accident or fall
Having a broken or suspected broken nose
Looking pale, sweating, or feeling weak due to the blood loss
Bleeding from the mouth

If a person starts having frequent nosebleeds, it’s best to see a doctor. Chronic nosebleeds often indicate the presence of an underlying medical condition.

Download our Doc2Us app from Google Play Store or Apple Store and chat with a doctor now.

References:

Gill, K. (2019). How to stop a nosebleed: Tips and treatment. [online] Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325205.php.
Whitworth, G. (2019). How to Stop a Nosebleed: Tips, Prevention, and More. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-a-nosebleed.
Brouhard, R. (2019). How to Stop a Bloody Nose the Right Way. [online] Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-stop-a-bloody-nose-1298303.
Nhsinform.scot. (2019). Nosebleed causes and treatments. [online] Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/nosebleed.

Image credits:

9. https://goodyfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/shutterstock_491886280.jpg

Written By

Dr. Jeanrette J. Nierras

Reviewed By

What Might Be Causing Your Nose To Bleed?