Nosebleeds – Types, Causes, and Treatment

Nosebleed, in most of the cases, is not a serious problem and easy to manage at home. The nose contains small blood vessels that bleed easily. Air moving through the nose causes dryness and irritation in the linings of the membranes inside the nose. Dryness leads to crusts in the nose that start bleeding when irritated. There are two types of nosebleeds – anterior and posterior, categorized based on their point of origin. The blog talks about both types of nosebleeds, causes, and cure.

Understanding anterior and posterior nosebleed

Anterior nosebleed

Anterior nosebleed is quite common and originates from the front of the nose. Bleeding in the most of the cases originates from the blood vessel on nasal septum and is easy to control.

Posterior nosebleed

Posterior nosebleed originates from the back of the nose and is less common than anterior. The problem occurs mostly in elderly people. The artery in the back of the nose is usually the point of origin of bleeding. Posterior nosebleed is complicated, and the patient needs to visit an otolaryngologist for treatment.

More About Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds mostly occur in dry and cold climates. Though there’s no age limit for the problem to start, it is common among children aged 2 to 10 years and adults aged 50 to 80 years. Nosebleed mostly occurs in morning hours in most of the cases. Trauma to the nose, such as a blow or nose picking, are some of the common reasons of nosebleed. A few more conditions that may lead to nosebleed include:

• Nasal infection
• Sinus infection
• Vigorous nose blowing
• Exposure to dry or warm air for long period
• Allergic rhinitis
• Nasal surgery
• Foreign body stuck in the nose
• Deviated or perforated nasal septum
• Use of cocaine, chronic alcohol abuse
• Topical nasal medications
• Blood-thinning medications
• Liver disease, inherited blood clotting disorder, kidney disease or certain medication may also cause a nosebleed
• Vascular malformations in nose and nasal tumors
• High blood pressure

Treating Nosebleed

The individual should sit up straight, tip the head slightly forward, and use thumb and forefinger to pinch the soft part of the nose shut. Bleeding mostly occurs in the soft part of the nose and a spraying a medicated nasal spray before applying pressure may stop nosebleed. Applying ice pack on nose and cheeks also helps. If the bleeding continues after 20 minutes and recurs four or more times in one week, it is advised to seek the consultation of an ENT specialist. The doctor conducts a physical examination of the nose and might recommend an X-ray to know more about the reason behind bleeding before prescribing medication.