Source: By Kristin Hayes, RN, Medically reviewed by Susan Olender, MD, https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-can-cause-frequent-bloody-noses-1192166
"What causes frequent bloody noses?" "What causes frequent bloody noses?"
Doctors hear this question a lot, especially from parents. They may report that their children sometimes bump their noses or fall down and get nosebleeds. While this can be distressing, at least these parents know the cause.
More concerning are nosebleeds that seem to happen without a cause. Sometimes children will wake up in the morning with blood on their pillows or dried blood around their nose or face. While the causes of this are numerous, the simple fact is that some people are more prone to frequent bloody noses, particularly during dry weather or as a result of habits they may not even be aware of.
Causes
The following conditions or illnesses make developing a bloody nose more likely:
Dry mucous membranes from low humidity or dehydration Very cold air Allergies Chemical irritants Frequent nose picking or rubbing Blowing your nose or sneezing too hard Overuse of nasal decongestant sprays Nasal infections Deviated septum Colds and other upper respiratory infections Inserting a foreign object into the nose Injury or trauma
Less common but often more serious causes of nosebleeds include:
High blood pressure Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin or warfarin Blood-clotting diseases, such as hemophilia Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a genetic disorder that leads to abnormal blood vessel formation Nasal or sinus tumors
Children tend to get bloody noses more than adults because they are more likely to pick or rub their noses or put foreign objects into their nostrils. With that being said, people of all ages can get bloody noses and need to be treated appropriately to stop the bleeding.
How to Stop a Nosebleed
If you or your child experiences a sudden nosebleed:
Sit down, rather than lying down, to reduce the blood flow. Pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils, for 10 to 15 minutes. Lean forward and breathe through the mouth so that the blood drains down the nose instead of the back of the throat. Placing an ice pack on the bridge of the nose can also help.
If a nosebleed doesn't stop after 20 minutes, see a doctor immediately or go to your nearest emergency room. This is especially true if the bleeding is profuse, was caused by a blow to the face, or is causing dizziness or fainting.
Treatment
Managing the underlying causes of frequent bloody noses is likely to be the most effective way to keep them from recurring. Sometimes this approach may need to be combined with other treatments.
There's limited research on the treatment of frequent bloody noses. However, the American Academy of Otolaryngology recently released a study reviewing different treatment options. The research shows that chemical cauterization (spraying a chemical into the nose to shrink blood vessels), surgical ligation (tying-off a burst blood vessel in the nose), embolization (blocking bleeding blood vessels) were most likely to keep bloody noses from recurring long-term.
Patients who underwent these procedures had better results and shorter hospital stays than patients with bloody noses who were treated with, for example, nose packing.
Despite its efficacy, nasal embolization carries the risk of stroke, ophthalmoplegia (restriction of eye movement), facial palsy, and hematomas (blood clots). Speak with your doctor to understand the benefits and risks of the procedure
Prevention
Not all nosebleeds can be prevented. But, if you're experiencing frequent bloody noses, here are some things you can try that may reduce their number and/or severity:
Use a cool-mist humidifier placed near the bed while you sleep. Try an over-the-counter saline nasal spray (but avoid inserting the tip too far up the nose as this can further damage tissues). Use a neti pot. Treat any underlying allergy or nasal infection. Try not to rub or pick your nose. Clip your child's fingernails regularly.
Source: By Kristin Hayes, RN, Medically reviewed by Susan Olender, MD, https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-can-cause-frequent-bloody-noses-1192166
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