Nosebleeds

What causes nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds are fairly common and have a variety of potential causes. There are two types of nosebleeds. 

Anterior nosebleeds start in the front of your nose and drip out of one or both nostrils. Posterior nosebleeds occur deeper in your nasal cavities and can cause bleeding that flows down your throat, even when you’re lying down. 

Both types of nosebleeds are often due to irritation to the blood vessels in your nose. For example, you could scratch the inside of your nose or have dry nasal cavities because of dry air or decongestants. 

If you experience chronic or frequent nosebleeds, they could be due to:

  • Allergies or infections that lead to scratching or picking your nose

  • Vigorous nose-blowing

  • Blood disorders like hemophilia

  • Medications that prevent clotting

  • Benign and malignant tumors

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a disorder that causes birthmark-like blood vessel growth in your nose that is prone to bleeding. Conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis can also contribute to chronic nosebleeds.

When should I see a doctor about nosebleeds?

You should talk to the team at Beach Cities ENTS if you have nosebleeds following a blow to the face or a head injury. You could have a fracture or another injury that’s irritating the soft tissue in your nasal cavities.

Additionally, if you have nosebleeds frequently, you should make an appointment as the bleeding could be a sign of a serious health condition. You should also talk to a doctor about any nosebleeds that last longer than 20 minutes.

How are nosebleeds treated?

When you get a nosebleed, stay calm — nosebleeds often look more alarming than they are. Sit down and lean forward slightly. You want to make sure that the blood drains out of your nose and not down your throat. You can use your thumb and forefinger to put gentle pressure on your nose until the bleeding stops.

However, if you have chronic nosebleeds, your doctor at Beach Cities ENTS provides exams and testing, including blood tests, endoscopy, MRIs, or CT scans, to diagnose the cause of your bleeding. Then, they offer customized treatments to address the underlying condition.

If you’re concerned about frequent nosebleeds, call Beach Cities ENTS or make an appointment online today.