A nosebleed, also called epistaxis, occurs when you lose blood from the tissue lining the inside of your nose. The tiny blood vessels in your nasal tissues are very fragile, and various factors can cause them to break. Approximately 60 percent of people will experience at least one nosebleed in their life. Keep reading to learn more about nosebleeds, including their most common causes and how to stop them.

What Are Nosebleeds?

The medical term for a nosebleed is epistaxis. Nosebleeds involve the loss of blood from the tissue lining the inside of one or both nostrils, though they typically affect only one nostril. Your nose contains tiny blood vessels that help warm and moisten the air you inhale. Because these blood vessels are close to the surface, they can easily become dry and irritated. This makes them prone to injury or breaking, resulting in bleeding. Though they can be bothersome, most nosebleeds are not serious.

Common Causes of Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can have many causes and are not typically serious. The most common cause is dry air. Heated indoor air or hot, low-humidity climates can cause your nasal membrane to dry out and become cracked or crusty. This makes it more likely to bleed when you blow, rub, or pick your nose. A nosebleed can also occur after inserting an object into your nostril or injuring your nose/face. Other common causes of nosebleeds include:

• Allergies - Both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis cause inflammation of the nasal lining, making it easy for blood vessels in the nose to break and bleed.
• Infections - Upper respiratory infections like the common cold and sinus infections (sinusitis) can lead to nosebleeds, especially if they cause repeated nose blowing, sneezing, and coughing.
• Blood-Thinning Medications - Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, heparin, etc., that thin the blood can make you more susceptible to nosebleeds.
• High Altitude - At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and drier. This can dry out the nasal membrane and make it easier to irritate and break the blood vessels inside your nose.
• Nasal Sprays - Nasal sprays that contain antihistamines and decongestants are frequently used to treat a stuffy, itchy, or runny nose. These sprays can dry out the nasal membranes, potentially leading to nosebleeds.
• Deviated Septum - Another potential cause of nosebleeds is a deviated septum. This is an abnormal shape of the wall that separates your nostrils.
• Bleeding Disorders - Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease can make you more prone to nosebleeds, and these can make it difficult to stop a nosebleed once it begins.

How to To Stop a Nosebleed

There are a few things you can do to stop nosebleeds at home:

• Breathe through your mouth.
• Sit up with your body and head leaning slightly forward. This will keep the blood from running down your throat, which could cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Don’t lie flat, and don’t put your head between your legs.
• Catch the blood with a tissue or damp washcloth.
• Apply gentle pressure using your thumb and index finger on the soft part of your nose and pinch the soft part against the bony ridge of the bridge of your nose. Do not squeeze at or above the bony part, as this won’t put pressure in the right place to stop the bleeding.
• Pinch your nose for 5 minutes before checking to see if the bleeding has stopped. If it is still bleeding, continue for another 10 minutes.
• You can also apply an ice pack to the bridge of your nose to help narrow the blood vessels, slowing the bleeding and providing comfort.
• Once the bleeding has stopped, do not bend over or lift anything heavy.
• Avoid blowing or rubbing your nose for several hours or days.
• To prevent further nosebleeds, keep the air in your home moist with a humidifier, avoid picking your nose or blowing too hard, and use a saline spray to keep the nasal lining moist.

Nosebleeds can often result from allergies, colds, sinus infections, and other things that cause nasal congestion. It’s important to take steps to relieve congestion so you can prevent nosebleeds. Check out these top remedies for nasal congestion so you can breathe easier and feel your best!