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Nosebleed - injury   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Nose bleeding; Nose blood loss; Epistaxis

Definition:

Loss of blood from the mucous membranes that line the nose, most commonly from one nostril only.

Considerations

Nosebleeds are very common. A nosebleed may be caused by trauma such as nose picking, forceful nose blowing, direct impact to the nose, and similar situations. A nosebleed may also be caused by irritation or dryness of the lining of the nose, which may occur with low humidity and dry environment, allergic rhinitis, colds, or sinusitis. Deviated septum, foreign objects in the nose, or other nasal obstruction may cause also cause nosebleeds.

Most nosebleeds occur on the tip of the nasal septum, which contains many fragile, easily damaged blood vessels. More rarely, nosebleeds may occur higher on the septum or deeper in the nose. These higher or deeper nosebleeds may be harder to control.

Occasionally, nosebleeds may indicate other disorders such as bleeding disorders, hypertension, or arteriosclerosis. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (also called HHT or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, a disorder involving a vascular growth similar to a birthmark in the back of the nose) may be evidenced by nosebleeds.

Sometimes blood thinners such as Coumadin or Asprin may cause or worsen nosebleeds. Most nosebleeds begin on the septum -- the midline, vertical cartilage that separates the nasal chambers and is lined with fragile blood vessels. This form of nosebleed is not serious, and is usually easy to stop.

Causes

• Sudden trauma to the nose, very cold or very dry air, fragile blood vessels, nasal sprays, strenuous exercise, or picking the nose cause most nosebleeds.
• Recurrent nosebleeds may be a symptom of an underlying disorder such as high blood pressure, taking large doses of aspirin or blood-thinning medication, allergies, a bleeding disorder, or a tumor of the nose or sinuses.
• Most nosebleeds come from blood vessels in the front of the nose. Some are caused by bleeding from the back of the nose into the throat (posterior bleeding) -- these are more difficult to control and almost always require medical attention.

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