Nosebleeds (epistaxis)

What can cause a nosebleed?

- Picking the nose.
- A blow to the nose or damage to the mucous membrane.
- A cold or flu.
- A nasal allergy.
- Dry mucous membranes in the nose due to a stuffy indoor atmosphere.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) - rarely.
- Certain kinds of medication; for instance, products that reduce the viscosity of the blood (such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- Exposure to chemicals that may irritate the mucous membranes.
- Deviation of the nasal (septum).

Most nosebleeds occur for no obvious reason.

Other rare causes of nosebleeds

- Blood diseases such as leukaemia or haemophilia.
- Tumours in the nasal cavity.
- Osler's disease.

Danger signals in a severe nosebleed

- Heavy bleeding.
- Palpitation, shortness of breath and turning pale.
- Swallowing large amounts of blood, which will cause you to vomit.

How to avoid nosebleeds

- Avoid damaging the nose and excessive nose-picking.
- Seek medical treatment for any disease causing the nosebleeds.
- Get a humidifier if you live in a dry climate or at high altitude.

What to do if you get a nosebleed

- Sit in an upright position with your head bent forward.
- Hold the tip of your nose for five minutes while breathing through the mouth.
- If the bleeding stops and then returns, hold your nose for 8 to 10 minutes. This will allow time for the blood to clot.
- Applying an ice-pack to your nose may help.

Good advice

- Do not blow your nose for the next 12 hours after the bleeding has stopped. This will help the dried blood to remain in place.
- Do not swallow the blood. It can cause you to become nauseous and vomit, or could conceal a greater blood loss.
- If you frequently suffer from nosebleeds you should seek help from your doctor.

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