What causes your nose to bleed

Nosebleeds are rarely life-threatening and most will usually stop on their own in a few minutes. — TNS

At some point in their lifetimes, most people will experience a nosebleed.

Although rarely life-threatening, nosebleeds can cause anxiety, and are sometimes difficult to control.

Epistaxis, more commonly known as a nosebleed, occurs when a small blood vessel in the nose ruptures.

The bleeding most commonly arises from the nasal septum, the partition that divides the two sides of your nose on the inside.

The rupture can occur when something traumatises or irritates the mucosa lining of the septum.

Common causes are nose-picking, forcefully blowing the nose, or an impact to the outside of the nose or face.

Nosebleeds are more likely to occur when the nasal mucosa is dry and irritated.

When there is low moisture content in the air, the blood vessels are more prone to tearing.

A person may also be more likely to experience a nosebleed during an allergy episode or when fighting an upper respiratory infection.

Other less common causes of nosebleeds may lead to recurring or serious bleeding.

People with clotting or blood vessel disorders like haemophilia, or who use anticoagulant medications for a heart condition, have a greater risk of recurring nosebleeds.

Growths in the nose, perforations in the septum, uncontrolled high blood pressure and some types of nasal sprays can also increase the risk of epistaxis.

Anterior nosebleeds, which are the most common type of epistaxis, start in the front of the nose.

They are usually identified by brisk bleeding from one nostril.

Less commonly, nosebleeds may start from a blood vessel toward the back of the nasal cavity.

This type of nosebleed is a posterior bleed and tends to be more severe, often requiring emergency treatment.

Follow these tips to avoid nosebleeds:

• Avoid vigorous nose-blowing and stuffing tissues or other objects into the nose.
• Discourage children from nose-picking and keep their fingernails trimmed.
• Use over-the-counter nasal saline sprays and topical moisturising gels to moisten the nasal mucosa if necessary.
• Use a home humidifier to keep moisture in the air during winter.
• If you smoke, consider quitting. Tobacco smoke dries out the nasal mucosa and increases the risk of nosebleeds.

Fortunately, most nosebleeds stop on their own after a few minutes.

By staying calm and following some simple steps, most nosebleeds can be managed without medical assistance:

• Sit up and lean forward with your head up.
• Gently blow your nose to clear out any blood clots.
• Use your thumb and a finger to pinch both nostrils shut for 10-15 minutes. Breathe through your mouth.

For serious or frequent nosebleeds, do seek medical attention. – By Joel Streed/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service