Five Things That Can Cause Your Nose to Start Bleeding
If your nosebleeds occur more than three to four times per week, or six or more times in a month despite following these tips, please contact your health care provider. Patients who take anticoagulation medication and experience frequent and/or more severe nosebleeds should call 734-936-8051 for an urgent appointment.
Nosebleeds
One in seven Americans will develop a nosebleed (epistaxis) at least once in their lives. While nosebleeds are common and usually harmless, the sudden onset of a bloody nose can be startling and frightening. The most common causes for nosebleeds are dry climate, heated indoor air during winter months, steroid nasal sprays or direct injury to the nose. More intense and frequent nosebleeds may occur in people who take anticoagulation medication.
Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to prevent and treat most nosebleeds on your own at home.
What To Do When You Get a Nosebleed
View our video for step-by-step instructions on what to do when you get a bloody nose and tips for preventing nosebleeds in the future.
If your nosebleeds occur more than three to four times per week, or six or more times in a month despite following these tips, please contact your health care provider. Patients who take anticoagulation medication and experience frequent and/or more severe nosebleeds should call 734-936-8051 for an urgent appointment.
Nosebleed Do’s and Don’ts
(Note: the following instructions are intended for adult and adolescent use only.)
Nosebleeds are rarely dangerous and can be easily managed at home if you know what to do and when to seek help.
DO:
- Remain calm.
- Lean forward. If there is blood in your mouth, spit it out; do not swallow it.
- Apply 3 sprays of decongestant nose spray, such as Afrin, into the side that is bleeding.
- Pinch the soft part of your nose shut.
- Pinch the nose for 10 minutes. Use a clock to keep track of time. Resist the urge to peek after a few minutes to see if your nose has stopped bleeding.
- After 10 minutes, let go of your nose. If it is still bleeding, soak a cotton ball with the nose spray. Place the cotton ball into the bleeding nostril and pinch for 10 minutes. Again, use a clock to time it.
- Once bleeding has stopped, do not blow your nose for 2 days.
- Check your blood pressure, if possible. High blood pressure can cause nosebleeds.
DON’T:
- Do not pack the nose with tissues or other household items like tampons. This can make the bleeding worse.
- Do not tilt your head back or lie flat. This may cause you to choke on blood. Blood in the stomach can make you sick to your stomach and cause vomiting
- Do not lift anything heavy, like groceries or perform physical activities or household chores such as vacuuming. Do not pick up young children and babies. It can take up to two full weeks to heal after a nosebleed.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Nosebleeds are a nuisance but rarely an emergency. There are some situations, however, when nosebleeds require immediate medical attention:
- Bleeding that does not stop in 30 minutes.
- Bleeding that is very heavy, pouring down the back of your throat and out the front of your nose.
- Bleeding with other symptoms, like very high blood pressure, light-headedness, chest pain and/or rapid heart rate that may require treatment.
Why Come to Michigan for Treatment?
- We have expertise in treating all forms of nosebleeds, including those caused by hereditary conditions.
- We treat more than 84,000 patients every year.
- We take a multidisciplinary, step-by-step approach that takes you – as a whole person – into account.
- If you need us for surgery, know that we perform more than 7,000 surgeries every year. And, when it comes to surgery, experience counts.
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 734-936-8051. If you take anticoagulation medication and experience frequent/more severe nosebleeds, call us for an urgent appointment.
Five Things That Can Cause Your Nose to Start Bleeding
Dealing with a bleeding nose is never pleasant. Nose bleeds can occur for various reasons, such as weather conditions or prescription medications. A nosebleed, also known as “epistaxis,” is a relatively common condition. Most nosebleeds occur in the part of the nose you can touch with your finger and are caused by a broken blood vessel. Nosebleeds can also occur farther back towards the sinus cavity, and in these cases, it may be an indicator of a more serious condition.
Common reasons for nose bleeds.
- 1. Dry weather
- 2. Blowing your nose
- 3. Picking your nose
- 4. A broken nose
- 5. Taking certain medications
- 6. Sneezing (often caused by allergies)
- 7. Foreign object(s) in the nose
If you have a nosebleed that won’t stop or are experiencing frequent nosebleeds that you want checked out by an experienced healthcare provider, Integra Urgent Care is here to help. check in online or call our office to schedule an appointment.
We are an urgent care provider in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who treats nose bleeds and other non-life-threatening, non-chronic medical conditions. We operate three convenient urgent care center locations in Las Colinas, Weatherford, and Grand Prairie. Integra Urgent Care centers are open 7 days a week, and offer online check-in and telemedicine appointments. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit our website at: https://integrauc.com/
Top Reasons That Can Cause Your Nose to Start Bleeding
Most nosebleeds are minor and are not a cause of concern. Here are several common reasons that can cause your nose to start bleeding:
1. Weather Conditions
A change in temperature can cause the blood vessels in the nose to expand or contract, which can lead to a nosebleed. Dry air causes nasal membranes to dry out and become cracked which makes them more susceptible to bleeding. Cold weather can also cause the nose to bleed, as the blood vessels in the nose constrict in response to the cold air. Nosebleeds are more common in winter due to the cold and dry air, and more common in places with low humidity (such as high altitudes).
2. Nose Picking or Blowing Your Nose Too Hard
The nose contains delicate blood vessels that can be easily broken. When you pick or scratch the inside of your nose, it can rupture these blood vessels and cause bleeding. Blood vessels in the nose can also break from blowing your nose too hard. In most cases, bleeding will be minor and will stop on its own.
3. Medications
There are many different medications that can cause nose bleeding. Common over the counter (OTC) painkiller medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can lead to nose bleeding. People who take prescription medications for blood clotting disorders (like warfarin), antiplatelet agents, or antiepileptics are also susceptible to nose bleeds. Blood thinning medication is designed to prevent clotting, although it makes it easier for the blood to flow out of small vessels like those in the nose. Nosebleeds caused by blood thinners are usually not serious and can be treated at home. If, however, they occur frequently or are accompanied by other symptoms it’s important to get checked out a qualified healthcare provider.
4. Broken Nose
A broken nose can initially bleed a lot based on the size and extent of an acute injury. When these bones that support the nose are broken, it can cause the blood vessels to become damaged and rupture.
5. Cold/Flu
Nose bleeding can be a symptom of both colds and flu. When you have an respiratory infection or nasal congestion, nosebleeds can occur because of the inflammation of the blood vessels caused by frequent nose blowing or damage to the sensitive lining of the nose caused by the virus or infection.
6. Foreign object in the nose
A foreign object entering the nose can also damage blood vessels. This often occurs with small children but can also be caused from any type of applicator for medication such as nose spray to address nasal congestion from a respiratory infection, sinusitis, or allergies.
What are the Treatment Options for Nose Bleeding?
There are different ways to address a nosebleed depending on its underlying cause. If a nosebleed is caused by an acute injury, the best course of action is to apply ice and pressure to the area. If the nosebleed is due to nose picking or blowing, it is important to stop these activities and let the area heal. If the nosebleed is due to allergies or a cold, over-the-counter medication may be effective in treating the symptoms and reducing the need to blow your nose.
Nasal bleeding usually stops through first-aid measures like compression, but when it doesn’t, it’s essential to find out why. Treatments at Integra Urgent Care include the following:
- Nasal packing (with gauze and petroleum jelly) – This treatment involves packing the nose with gauze soaked in petroleum jelly. It’s done to stop nose bleeding that may be coming from a source located in the nasal cavity. This helps to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the blood vessels in the nose. Nasal packing is usually only necessary for nosebleeds that are severe or do not respond to other treatments.
- Topical vasoconstriction – In this treatment, topical cream or ointment is applied to the nose, which constricts the blood vessels and helps to stop the bleeding. Topical vasoconstriction treatment is generally safe and effective.
- Posterior gauze packing – This is a simple medical procedure that involves packing the nose with gauze to stop the bleeding. The gauze is usually left in place for a period of 24-48 hours, after which it will be removed by a doctor.
In some patients, topical or systemic antibiotics should be used to reduce infection and inflammation. In severe cases, referral to an otolaryngologist or hospital admission might be considered for patients where complications are present or specialized treatment(s) is required.
Trusted Nosebleed Treatments Integra Urgent Care
Integra Urgent Care is an urgent care provider that treats nose bleeds and many other medical conditions that need on-demand healthcare, such as cold and flu, acute injuries, diagnostic testing, allergies, and most non-life-threatening, non-chronic conditions.
Integra Urgent Care has three convenient locations in Las Colinas, Grand Prairie, and Weatherford. Our licensed providers provide quality healthcare quickly while offering various medical services and diagnostic testing to get you or a family member feeling better soon. Whether you’re experiencing a minor acute injury or a serious illness, we’re here to help. We also offer on-site X-ray and laboratory services, so you can receive the care you need in one convenient location.
Our urgent care centers are open seven days a week (8am to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 5pm on weekends) and offer online check-in so you can wait for your appointment time in the comfort of your own home or vehicle. We also accept most insurance plans and offer competitive self-pay rates on most services and diagnostic testing. Integra Urgent Care also offers Telemedicine appointment options to reduce the time and effort needed to travel to a healthcare providers office.
