Nosebleeds are a sign of

Nosebleed causes & treatments | NHS inform

Most nosebleeds can be stopped without the need for medical attention, but occasionally further treatment may be required.

What to do

To stop a nosebleed:

• sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of your nose, just above your nostrils, for at least 10-15 minutes
• lean forward and breathe through your mouth – this will drain blood into your nose instead of down the back of your throat
• place an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables covered by a towel on the bridge of your nose
• stay upright, rather than lying down as this reduces the blood pressure in the blood vessels of your nose and will discourage further bleeding

If the bleeding eventually stops, you won't usually need to seek medical advice. However, you should still follow the recovery advice outlined below.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your GP or call the NHS 111 service if:

• you're taking a blood-thinning medicine (anticoagulant) such as warfarin or have a clotting disorder such as haemophilia and the bleeding doesn't stop
• you have symptoms of anaemia such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath and a pale complexion
• a child under two years of age has a nosebleed (this is rare and there's a chance it's caused by something serious)
• you have nosebleeds that come and go regularly

Ask someone to drive you to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department or call 999 for an ambulance if:

• the bleeding continues for longer than 20 minutes
• the bleeding is heavy and you've lost a lot of blood
• you're having difficulty breathing
• you swallow a large amount of blood that makes you vomit
• the nosebleed developed after a serious injury, such as a car crash

Find your nearest A&E department

Medical treatment

If you see your GP or go to hospital with a nosebleed, you will be assessed to determine how serious your condition is and what's likely to have caused it. This may involve looking inside your nose, measuring your pulse and blood pressure, carrying out blood tests and asking about any other symptoms you have.

The main treatments that your GP or hospital doctor may use to stop your nose bleeding are described below.

Antibiotic ointment

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment. This should be applied by squeezing a pea-sized amount onto the front of the nasal septum (wall between the nostrils).

This can reduce the inflammation and crusting in the nose and reduce the severity and frequency of nosebleeds.

Antibiotic ointment is particularly effective in children.

Cautery

If your doctor is able to identify exactly where the bleeding is coming from, they may carry out a minor procedure to seal the bleeding blood vessel by cauterising (burning) it.

This is normally done using a stick of a chemical called silver nitrate. A local anaesthetic will be sprayed into your nose to numb it and the silver nitrate stick will be held against the bleeding point for up to 10 seconds.

Nasal packing

If cautery is ineffective or your doctor is unable to identify a specific bleeding point, they may recommend packing your nose with gauze or special nasal sponges to stop the flow of blood by applying pressure to the source of the bleeding.

Packing will usually be carried out after local anaesthetic has been sprayed into your nose. The gauze or sponges often need to be left in place for 24-48 hours before being removed by a health professional. You'll usually need to be admitted to hospital to be monitored during this time.

Further treatment

If the treatments above don't help, you may be referred to a hospital specialist such as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor for further treatment.

Additional treatments that may be used in hospital include:

• electrocautery – an electric current running through a wire is used to cauterise the blood vessel where the bleeding is coming from
• blood transfusions – a procedure to replace the blood you've lost
• tranexamic acid – medication that can reduce bleeding by helping your blood to clot
• packing under anaesthetic – your nose is carefully packed with gauze while you are unconscious from general anaesthetic
• ligation – an operation using small instruments to tie off bleeding blood vessels in the back of your nose

Recovery

Once your nose has stopped bleeding, you should follow the advice below to reduce the risk of your nose bleeding again and to stop you picking up an infection:

• avoid blowing or picking your nose, heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, lying flat, and drinking alcohol or hot drinks for 24 hours
• don't remove any crusts that form inside your nose – these may be unpleasant, but they're a useful part of the healing process
• if you need to sneeze, try to sneeze with your mouth open to reduce the pressure in your nose
• avoid people with coughs and colds

If you see a GP or a hospital doctor about your nosebleed, they may give you a prescription for an antiseptic nasal cream once the bleeding stops. This should be applied to the inside of your nostrils several times a day for up to two weeks to help prevent further bleeding.

If your nose does start to bleed again, follow the first aid advice above and seek medical advice if the bleeding doesn't stop.

Nosebleed Causes and Treatments - familydoctor.org

What are nosebleeds?

A nosebleed is blood loss from the tissue that lines your nose. It can affect both nostrils, but most often occurs in only one nostril. Usually, a nosebleed is not serious.

The nose has many blood vessels in it to help warm and humidify the air you breathe. These vessels lie close to the surface, making them easy to injure — which can cause a nosebleed. Sometimes, though, nosebleeds are more serious. These stem from large vessels in the back of the nose. Nosebleeds from these larger vessels often occur after an injury, in young children, or in the elderly. Usually, the older the patient, the more serious the nosebleed.

Symptoms of nosebleeds

Most often, you will have no other symptoms other than the nosebleed itself.

Most common nose bleed causes

Two of the most common causes of nosebleeds are dryness (often caused by indoor heat in the winter) and nose picking. These 2 things work together — nose picking occurs more often when mucus in the nose is dry and crusty. Colds also can cause nosebleeds.

Less common causes include injuries, allergies, or the use of illegal drugs, such as cocaine. Children may stick small objects up their noses, and that can cause the nose to bleed. Older people may have atherosclerosis (which is the hardening of the arteries), infections, high blood pressure, or blood clotting disorders that may cause nosebleeds. Nosebleeds may occur and last longer if you’re taking drugs that interfere with blood clotting, such as aspirin. A rare cause of frequent nosebleeds is a disorder called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Sometimes, the cause of nosebleeds can’t be determined.

Frequent nosebleeds may mean you have a more serious problem. For example, nosebleeds and bruising can be early signs of leukemia. Nosebleeds can also be a sign of a blood clotting or blood vessel disorder, or a nasal tumor (both non-cancerous and cancerous).

How are nosebleeds diagnosed?

There is usually no need to formally diagnose a nosebleed. If your nose is bleeding, it’s fairly self-evident.

Can nosebleeds be prevented or avoided?

Tips for preventing nosebleeds:

• Keep children’s fingernails short to limit nose injury and to discourage nose picking.
• Counteract the drying effects of indoor heated air by using a humidifier at night in your bedroom.
• Quit smoking. Smoking dries out your nose and also irritates it.
• Open your mouth when you sneeze.

Nosebleed treatment

A nosebleed can be scary to get — or see — but try to stay calm. Most nosebleeds look much worse than they really are. Almost all nosebleeds can be treated at home.

If you get a nosebleed, sit down and lean slightly forward. Keeping your head above your heart will slow the bleeding. Lean forward so the blood will drain out of your nose instead of down the back of your throat. If you lean back, you may swallow the blood. This can irritate your stomach.

Use your thumb and index finger to squeeze together the soft portion of your nose. This area is located between the end of your nose and the hard, bony ridge that forms the bridge of your nose. Keep holding your nose until the bleeding stops. Don’t let go for at least 5 minutes. If it’s still bleeding, hold it again for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Once the bleeding stops, wait a few hours before doing anything that might make it start again, such as bending over or blowing your nose.

See your doctor if:

• The bleeding goes on for more than 20 minutes.
• The bleeding was caused by an injury, such as a fall or something hitting your face. In some cases, this may be a sign of internal bleeding.
• The amount of blood makes it hard to breathe.
• A child under 2 has a nosebleed.
• You’re taking a blood thinning medicine.
• You get nosebleeds weekly.

Your doctor will try to find out where the bleeding is coming from in your nose. He or she will probably ask you some questions and examine your nose. If the bleeding doesn’t stop on its own or when pressure is applied, your doctor may cauterize the bleeding vessel or pack your nose to stop the bleeding. Cauterization involves using a special solution called silver nitrate or an electrical or heating device to burn the vessel so that it stops bleeding. Your doctor will numb your nose before the procedure. Packing the nose involves putting special gauze or an inflatable latex balloon into the nose so that enough pressure is placed on the vessel to make it stop bleeding

Living with nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can be a nuisance. They come on suddenly, often with no warning. They usually aren’t harmful.

Questions for your doctor

• I get a lot of nosebleeds. What can I do to stop them?
• How long should I wait to call the doctor if I’m having a nosebleed?
• I’m around secondhand smoke a lot. Could that be causing my nosebleeds?
• Are nosebleeds more common in winter?
• What can I do to prevent my child from picking his/her nose?
• Could my nosebleeds be a sign of something more serious?
• Should I avoid or hold off on any of my regular prescription medicines or over-the-counter medicines?

Resources

National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Nosebleed

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Nosebleeds - symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment in medical centers "K + 31

" The term "nosebleeds" refers to the leakage of blood from the nasal cavity. In eighty percent, it occurs at the Kisselbach point (anteroinferior cartilaginous section of the septum). However, in reality, everything is much more complicated than it seems at first glance - in the most severe cases, blood can rise through the nasolacrimal canals and flow out through the eye sockets. Also, with severe bleeding, blood through the esophagus enters the respiratory tract or into the gastrointestinal tract and provokes vomiting.

Some people bleed unexpectedly, while others feel dizzy or have headaches and ringing in the ears. It is important not to confuse - there is a possibility of bleeding of other organs (trachea, pharynx, lungs, larynx or even middle ear). The blood from the nose is clean, homogeneous, there are no clots and inclusions in it.

Causes of nosebleeds

Common causes include:

• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Hormonal imbalance.
• Blood diseases.
• Overheating in the sun (sunstroke) or high fever due to illness.
• High pressure drops in the environment (alpinists, divers).

Local factors

Most often, bleeding is caused by trauma: domestic, industrial and road (the seat belt will protect against contact with the steering wheel or dashboard). Also, bleeding can be triggered by the ingress of a foreign body (children often suffer) or medical manipulations - nasogastric intubation, nasotracheal intubation, etc.

• Tumors (specific granulomas, angiomas, etc.) also cause bleeding in the nasal cavity.
• Conditions accompanied by mucosal plethora (sinusitis, rhinitis, adenoids).
• Violations of the functionality of the mucous membrane (curvature of the nasal septum, atrophic rhinitis).

Stage of purulent inflammation

Acute infectious diseases (eg whooping cough) are often accompanied by acute rhinitis. Even with a generally satisfactory condition of the patient, the respiratory tract becomes very inflamed. There is a cough, often accompanied by vomiting. Tension when coughing often causes nosebleeds.

Systemic factors

• Allergy.
• ORZ, SARS.
• A lifestyle that provokes regular pressure drops.
• Hormonal disorders.
• Stable high blood pressure.
• Bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, drugs).
• Diseases of the blood, liver, heart.
• Side effects of various drugs.
• Physical overwork, overheating.

Species

Epistaxis is divided into acute and chronic.

Acute bleeding often leads to complications (eg oxygen deprivation can cause loss of consciousness).

Chronic bleeding, if left untreated, is sometimes even fatal.

Anterior bleeding

By location, bleeding can be anterior or posterior. "Anterior" bleeding does not differ in intensity, stops on its own or with a little help and is quite safe for life.

Posterior bleeding

Posterior bleeding is caused by damage to large blood vessels in the nasal cavity. A large blood loss is possible, so you must immediately call qualified doctors - you cannot stop it on your own.

Nosebleeds in children

Children are more susceptible to nosebleeds. This happens for several reasons:

• The mucous membrane is damaged or injured by the child himself.
• Intense physical activity.
• Hormonal adjustment factors.
• Runny nose and infectious diseases.
• Solar and heat stroke.
• Avitaminosis.

Of the more serious causes, it is worth highlighting various tumors and diseases of the liver. Children also suffer from low blood clotting.

Nosebleeds in adults

There are many causes of nosebleeds in adults - a visit to the doctor and an examination are necessary to determine the specific one. At best, it can be a mild pathology in a completely healthy person, but you should not neglect your health.

Adults and children have different causes of the problem. Blood can enter the sinuses through the respiratory tract, esophagus, or even the stomach. The nasal mucosa is extensively dotted with small blood vessels and capillaries, but regular bleeding from the sinuses almost certainly indicates some serious disease. It is imperative to find out the source of the problem. To do this, you need to undergo a medical examination.

Diagnostics

When determining the source of bleeding, it is first necessary to conduct an external examination (the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, esophagus are examined). It is necessary to find out whether we are really dealing with nosebleeds, or a problem in the respiratory or digestive system. In the latter case, in addition to the ENT, it will be necessary to consult with specialized specialists. In any situation, it is useful to involve a therapist in consultation.

Of the necessary tests, you will have to donate blood for biochemistry and clotting.

Complications and consequences

Light bleeding can be stopped on its own, it is not particularly dangerous. However, it is worth subsequently “adding up” all the factors and finding out what served as the “trigger”.

Massive bleeding leads to high blood loss. Subsequently, the work of the whole organism is disrupted - blood pressure drops, the heartbeat quickens, a state of mental retardation occurs.

Bleeding from the nose is not a disease in itself, but may be one of the symptoms of some dangerous disease. You can not ignore the constant bouts of blood from the nose - you need to undergo a complete examination of the body and find out the cause.

Treatment of nosebleeds

Treatment of nosebleeds depends primarily on the causes of its occurrence. First of all, it is necessary to diagnose the source of the pathology. If nosebleeds signal another disease, the main task of specialists is to find out what kind of disease it is and to cope with it. When the disease disappears, you will leave all its symptoms.

In the case when the cause is an increase in blood pressure, it will be enough to normalize it. Medical therapy will relieve you of the problem.

Vascular pathologies require direct intervention. Effectively and quickly, the problem can be solved in two ways - using radio wave or cryosurgical techniques. You can consider both options and choose the appropriate one (the attending physician will advise the best option based on your indications). You will get rid of nosebleeds once and for all.

First Aid for Nosebleeds

If someone has a nosebleed, the medical staff should be contacted first. With a strong loss of blood, in anticipation of medical assistance, you need to raise the head of the victim as high as possible. No need to tilt or tilt it, with heavy bleeding there is a risk that the blood will enter the respiratory tract. First aid is to press the wings of the nose against the septum and apply a cold compress to the forehead / back of the head. You can place cotton or gauze rolls moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide in the nostrils.

Prevention of bleeding

For people prone to nosebleeds, here are a few tips:

• Humidify the air - dry mucous membranes bleed more often.
• Moisten the mucous membranes with saline solutions (especially important in winter, when the air in the rooms is too dry due to heaters).
• Do not injure the nose, face, head.
• Do not inhale irritants. Even if the work is related to acetones, ammonia, solvents or paints, use at least protective equipment.
• Get rid of allergies.
• Monitor your blood pressure.
• Try to avoid SARS and various infectious diseases. Difficult, but limit contact with the sick and contagious, lead a healthy life to the maximum, use masks and bandages during quarantines.
• Monitor blood clotting when taking "thinning" drugs.

Cost

K+31 on Lobachevsky

*Prices are for guidance only.

Registration for service

I agree to the processing of my personal data