Nosebleed
Nosebleeds are not a sign of anything severe, usually. They are still common among children and highly treatable.
Nosebleed causes
The nose has a delicate inside, which bleeds when the inside is damaged. The common causes are:
- Nose picking
- Blowing nose too hard
- Change of temperature that can make the nose inside dry
- Broken nose
- Nose injury
- Blood clots or conditions that affect blood vessels
- Certain medications
Some reasons behind nosebleeds are still unknown. Pregnant women, children, and older people are more prone to nosebleeds.
How to stop a nosebleed?
- Sit down and lean forward
- Pinch your nose above the nostrils for 10–15 minutes
- Breathe through the mouth
Holding an ice pack may also help reduce blood flow, but the evidence suggests it doesn’t work very strong.
Consult a doctor if
- A child under age 2 starts bleeding
- Regular nosebleeds
- Symptoms of anemia
- Consuming blood-thinning medicines
- If you have hemophilia, which doesn’t let blood clot properly
- Bleeds more than 10–15 minutes
- Excessive bleeding
- Vomit due to swallowing a large amount of blood
- Feeling dizzy or week
- Having difficulty in breathing
When your nosebleed stops
For 24 hours, do not try:
- To blow your nose
- Pick your nose
- Drink anything hot or alcohol
- Don’t lift anything heavy
- Pick any scabs
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022