Nosebleeds: Overview
Nosebleeds are common, especially if you have colds or allergies. Many things can cause a nosebleed.
Some nosebleeds stop on their own with pressure. Others need packing. Some get cauterized (sealed). If you have gauze or other packing materials in your nose, you will need to follow up with your doctor to have the packing removed. You may need more treatment if you get nosebleeds a lot.
What are the types of nosebleeds?
Most nosebleeds occur in the front of the nose and involve only one nostril. Some blood may drain down the back of the nose into the throat. These nosebleeds typically are not serious, and you can generally treat them yourself at home.
A less common but more serious type of nosebleed starts in the back of the nose and often involves both nostrils. Large amounts of blood may run down the back of the throat. This type of nosebleed may occur more frequently in older adults because of health conditions they may have. You will need treatment from a doctor to control bleeding from this type of nosebleed.
Nose cautery for nosebleeds: Your recovery
Nose cautery can help prevent nosebleeds. The doctor uses a chemical swab or an electric current to cauterize the inside of the nose. This seals the blood vessels and builds scar tissue to help prevent more bleeding.
For this procedure, your doctor made the inside of your nose numb. After the procedure, you may feel itching and pain in your nose for 3 to 5 days. Over-the-counter pain medicines can help with pain. You may feel like you want to touch, scratch, or pick at the inside of your nose. But doing this may cause more nosebleeds.
Preventing nosebleeds
The following tips may prevent a nosebleed from happening.
- Avoid forceful nose-blowing.
- Do not pick your nose.
- Avoid lifting or straining after a nosebleed.
- Keep your head elevated right after a nosebleed.
- Put a thin layer of nasal gel or cream inside your nose.
Use a saline- or water-based nasal gel, such as NasoGel, or an antiseptic nasal cream.
- Do not smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
Smoking can dry out your nose and increase your chance of a nosebleed. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
- Be careful with nonprescription antihistamines, decongestants, or medicated nasal sprays
Nosebleeds may develop in people who have colds or chronic allergy symptoms (postnasal drip, sneezing, or a runny, stuffy, or itchy nose) because nasal tissues become inflamed and irritated. Using medicines may relieve the symptoms, leading to less inflammation and irritation and fewer nosebleeds. But overuse of allergy medicines may lead to nosebleeds because of their overdrying side effects.
How to stop a nosebleed
Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed.
If you are helping someone else stop a nosebleed, avoid touching the other person's blood. Use gloves, if available, or layers of fabric or a plastic bag to protect yourself.
- Gently blow your nose to clear any clots.
- Sit up straight and tip your head slightly forward.
Do not tilt your head back. This may cause blood to run down the back of your throat, and you may swallow it. Swallowed blood can irritate your stomach and cause vomiting. And vomiting may make the bleeding worse or cause it to start again. Spit out any blood that gathers in your mouth and throat rather than swallowing it.
- Use your thumb and forefinger to firmly pinch the soft part of your nose shut.
The nose consists of a hard, bony part and a softer part made of cartilage. Nosebleeds usually occur in the soft part of the nose. Spraying the nose with a decongestant nasal spray like oxymetazoline (Afrin) before applying pressure may help stop a nosebleed. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. You will have to breathe through your mouth.
- Keep pinching for at least 5 minutes.
Use a clock to time the 5 minutes. It can seem like a long time. Resist the urge to peek after a few minutes to see if your nose has stopped bleeding.
- Check to see if your nose is still bleeding after 5 minutes.
If it is, hold it for 10 more minutes. Most nosebleeds will stop after 10 to 20 minutes of direct pressure.
- Put a thin layer of nasal gel or cream inside your nose.
Use petroleum jelly or a saline- or water-based nasal gel.
- Do not blow your nose or put anything else inside your nose for several hours after the bleeding has stopped.
What can cause frequent nosebleeds?
Nosebleeds that recur often are commonly caused by bleeding from the front of the nose (anterior epistaxis). Common causes of this type of nosebleed are:
- Blowing or picking the nose.
- Structural problems in the nose, either present from birth (congenital) or caused by an injury.
- Low humidity.
- Minor health problems, such as colds or allergies.
- Minor injuries to the nose.
- Medicines. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Aspirin and other medicines (called blood thinners) that prevent blood clots.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Antihistamines, decongestants, and medicated nasal sprays that dry the tissue of the nose and sinuses.
Recurring nosebleeds can also be caused by:
- Rupture of the blood vessels that are very close to the surface of the lining of the nose.
- An abnormal growth (polyp or tumor) in the nose or sinuses.
- Health conditions that affect normal blood clotting.
- Abnormal blood vessels in the nose.
When nosebleeds cannot be controlled by home treatment, you need to see your doctor.
Nosebleeds in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child's nose is still bleeding after pressure has been applied 15 minutes.
- There is a lot of blood running down the back of your child's throat even after pinching the nose and tilting the head forward.
- Your child becomes weak or lightheaded.
- Your child has a nosebleed after a head injury.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child gets frequent nosebleeds, even if they stop.
- Your child does not get better as expected.
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