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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia – Symptoms and causes

Overview

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (tuh-lan-jee-uk-TAY-zhuh) is an inherited disorder that causes abnormal connections, called arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), to develop between arteries and veins. The most common locations affected are the nose, lungs, brain and liver.

These AVMs may enlarge over time and can bleed or rupture, sometimes causing catastrophic complications.

Spontaneous and unprovoked nosebleeds, sometimes on a daily basis, are the most common feature. Persistent bleeding from the nose and the intestinal tract can result in severe iron deficiency anemia and poor quality of life.

Also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disorder that you inherit from your parents. Its severity can vary greatly from person to person, even within the same family.

If you have HHT, you may want to have your children checked for the disease because they can be affected even if they’re not experiencing any symptoms.

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Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of HHT include:

  • Nosebleeds, sometimes on a daily basis and often starting in childhood
  • Lacy red vessels or tiny red spots, particularly on the lips, face, fingertips, tongue and inside surfaces of the mouth
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Shortness of breath
  • Headaches
  • Seizures

Causes

HHT is a genetic disorder you inherit from your parents. It is an autosomal dominant disorder, which means that if one of your parents has HHT, you have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it. If you have HHT, each of your children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting it from you.


Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia care at Mayo Clinic


Jan. 08, 2021

Show references

  1. Kitchens CS, et al., eds. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. In: Consultative Hemostasis and Thrombosis. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 14, 2019.
  2. Chovlin C. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 14, 2019.
  3. Ferri FF. Osler-Rendu-Weber syndrome. In: Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2019. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 14, 2019.
  4. Myers EN, et al., eds. Surgical management of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. In: Operative Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 18, 2019.
  5. Kühnel T, et al. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2018;51:237.
  6. AskMayoExpert. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018.
  7. Chovlin C. Management of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 14, 2019.
  8. National Library of Medicine. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Genetics Home Reference. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hereditary-hemorrhagic-telangiectasia. Accessed Jan. 22, 2019.
  9. North American HHT Centers of Excellence. CureHHT. https://directory.curehht.org/hht-centers. Accessed Jan. 16, 2019.
  10. Gossage JR. Therapeutic approach to adult patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 22, 2019.
  11. Singer RJ, et al. Brain arteriovenous malformations. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 22, 2019.
  12. Iyer VN, et al. Effect of center volume on outcomes in hospitalized patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2016;91:1753.
  13. Morrow ES Jr. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 12, 2018.

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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Types, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Overview

A nosebleed occurs when blood vessels lining the nose get injured and bleed.

What is a nosebleed?

Simply put, a nosebleed is the loss of blood from the tissue that lines the inside of your nose.

Nosebleeds (also called epistaxis) are common. Some 60% of people will have at least one nosebleed in their lifetime. The location of the nose in the middle of the face and the large number of blood vessels close to the surface in the lining of your nose make it an easy target for injury and nosebleeds.

Are nosebleeds serious?

Although seeing blood coming out of your noise can be alarming, most nosebleeds are not serious and can be managed at home. Some, however, should be checked by your doctor. For instance, if you have frequent nosebleeds, see your doctor. This could be an early sign of other medical problems that needs to be investigated. A few nosebleeds start in the back of the nose. These nosebleeds usually involve large blood vessels, result in heavy bleeding and can be dangerous. You will need medical attention for this type of bleed, especially if the bleeding occurs after an injury and the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 20 minutes of applying direct pressure to your nose. (Read on to learn the steps for how to stop a nosebleed.)

Are there different kinds of nosebleeds?

Yes. Nosebleeds are described by the site of the bleed. There are two main types and one is more serious than the other.

An anterior nosebleed starts in the front of the nose on the lower part of the wall that separates the two sides of the nose (called the septum). Capillaries and small blood vessels in this front area of the nose are fragile and can easily break and bleed. This is the most common type of nosebleed and is usually not serious. These nosebleeds are more common in children and are usually able to be treated at home.

A posterior nosebleed occurs deep inside the nose. This nosebleed is caused by a bleed in larger blood vessels in the back part of the nose near the throat. This can be a more serious nosebleed than an anterior nosebleed. It can result in heavy bleeding, which may flow down the back of the throat. You may need medical attention right away for this type of nosebleed. This type of nosebleed is more common in adults.

Who gets nosebleeds?

Anyone can get a nosebleed. Most people will have at least one in their lifetime. However, there are people who are more likely to have a nosebleed. They include:

  • Children between ages two and 10. Dry air, colds, allergies and sticking fingers and objects into their nose make children more prone to nosebleeds.
  • Adults between ages 45 and 65. Blood may take longer to clot in mid-life and older adults. They are also more likely to be taking blood thinning drugs (such as daily aspirin use), have high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the walls of arteries) or a bleeding disorder.
  • Pregnant women. Blood vessels in the nose expand while pregnant, which puts more pressure on the delicate blood vessels in the lining of the nose.
  • People who take blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin or warfarin.
  • People who have blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds have many causes. Fortunately, most are not serious.

The most common cause of nosebleeds is dry air. Dry air can be caused by hot, low-humidity climates or heated indoor air. Both environments cause the nasal membrane (the delicate tissue inside your nose) to dry out and become crusty or cracked and more likely to bleed when rubbed or picked or when blowing your nose.

Other common causes of nosebleeds include:

  • Nose picking.
  • Colds (upper respiratory infections) and sinusitis, especially episodes that cause repeated sneezing, coughing and nose blowing.
  • Blowing your nose with force.
  • Inserting an object into your nose.
  • Injury to the nose and/or face.
  • Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal lining).
  • Blood-thinning drugs (aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin, and others).
  • Cocaine and other drugs inhaled through the nose.
  • Chemical irritants (chemicals in cleaning supplies, chemical fumes at the workplace, other strong odors).
  • High altitudes. The air is thinner (lack of oxygen) and drier as the altitude increases.
  • Deviated septum (an abnormal shape of the wall that separates the two sides of the nose).
  • Frequent use of nasal sprays and medications to treat itchy, runny or stuffy nose. These medications – antihistamines and decongestants – can dry out the nasal membranes.

Other, less common causes of nosebleeds include:

Management and Treatment

To stop a nosebleed, lean your head slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard bony ridge that forms the bridge of your nose.

How do I stop a nosebleed?

Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed:

  • Relax.
  • Sit upright and lean your body and your head slightly forward. This will keep the blood from running down your throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Do NOT lay flat or put your head between your legs.)
  • Breathe through your mouth.
  • Use a tissue or damp washcloth to catch the blood.
  • Use your thumb and index finger to pinch together the soft part of your nose. Make sure to pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard bony ridge that forms the bridge of the nose. Squeezing at or above the bony part of the nose will not put pressure where it can help stop the bleeding.
  • Keep pinching your nose continuously for at least 5 minutes (timed by clock) before checking if the bleeding has stopped. If your nose is still bleeding, continue squeezing the nose for another 10 minutes.
  • If you’d like, apply an ice pack to the bridge of your nose to further help constrict blood vessels (which will slow the bleeding) and provide comfort. This is not a necessary step, but you can try this if you want.
  • You can spray an over-the-counter decongestant spray, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin®, Dristan®, Neo-Synephrine®, Vicks Sinex®, others) into the bleeding side of the nose and then apply pressure to the nose as described above. WARNING: These topical decongestant sprays should not be used over a long period of time. Doing so can actually cause an increase in the chance of a nosebleed.
  • After the bleeding stops, DO NOT bend over, strain and/or lift anything heavy. DO NOT blow or rub your nose for several days.

When should I go to the emergency room if I have a nosebleed?

Call your doctor immediately or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if:

  • You cannot stop the bleeding after more than 15 to 20 minutes of applying direct pressure on your nose as described in the steps above.
  • The bleeding is rapid or the blood loss is large (more than a cup).
  • You are having difficulty breathing.
  • You have vomited because you’ve swallowed a large amount of blood.
  • Your nosebleed has followed a blow to your head or serious injury (fall, car accident, smash to your face or nose).

Call your doctor soon if:

  • You get nosebleeds often.
  • You have symptoms of anemia (feeling weak or faint, tired, cold, short of breath, pale skin).
  • You have a child under two years of age who has had a nosebleed.
  • You are taking blood thinning drugs (such as aspirin or warfarin) or have a blood clotting disorder and the bleeding won’t stop.
  • You get a nosebleed that seems to have occurred with the start of a new medication.
  • You get nosebleeds as well as notice unusual bruising all over your body. This combination may indicate a more serious condition such as a blood clotting disorder (hemophilia or von Willebrand disease), leukemia or nasal tumor and will need to be checked by your doctor.)

What should I expect when I go to my doctor with a nosebleed?

The doctor will ask you questions about your nosebleed including:

  • Length (in minutes) of your nosebleed.
  • Approximate amount of blood that was lost.
  • How often you get nosebleeds.
  • Did the nosebleed involve one or both nostrils.

Your doctor will also ask about medications you are taking – including over-the-counter blood thinning drugs, such as aspirin, and drugs for colds and allergies. They will also ask if there is a family history of blood disorders and ask about your use of alcohol or any illegal drug use in which the drug was sniffed up your nose.

Next, your doctor will examine your nose to determine the source of the bleed and what may have caused it. They will use a small speculum to hold the nostril open and use various light sources or an endoscope (lighted scope) to see inside your nasal passages. Your doctor may use topical medications to anesthetize (numb) the lining of the nose and to constrict blood vessels. The doctor is also likely to remove clots and crusts from inside your nose. This can be unpleasant but is not painful. Your blood pressure and pulse will likely be taken. Occasionally, x-rays or CT scan or blood tests may be ordered to check for bleeding disorders, blood vessel abnormalities or nasal tumors.

What are the treatments for nosebleeds?

Treatments depend on the cause and could include:

  • Nasal packing. Gauze, special nasal sponges or foam or an inflatable latex balloon is inserted into your nose to create pressure at the site of the bleed. The material is often left in place for 24 to 48 hours before being removed by a healthcare professional.
  • Cauterization. This procedure involves applying a chemical substance (silver nitrate) or heat energy (electrocautery) to seal the bleeding blood vessel. A local anesthetic is sprayed in the nostril first to numb the inside of your nose.
  • Medication adjustments/new prescriptions. Reducing or stopping the amount of blood thinning medications can be helpful. In addition, medications for controlling blood pressure may be necessary. Tranexamic (Lystedaâ), a medication to help blood clot, may be prescribed.
  • Foreign body removal if this is the cause of the nose bleed.
  • Surgical repair of a broken nose or correction of a deviated septum if this is the cause of the nosebleed.
  • Ligation. In this procedure, the culprit blood vessel is tied off to stop the bleeding.

Prevention

What can I do to prevent nosebleeds?

  • Use a saline nasal spray or saline nose drops two to three times a day in each nostril to keep your nasal passages moist. These products can be purchased over-the-counter or made at home. (To make the saline solution at home: mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 quart of tap water. Boil water for 20 minutes, cool until lukewarm.)
  • Add a humidifier to your furnace or run a humidifier in your bedroom at night to add moisture to the air.
  • Spread water-soluble nasal gels or ointments in your nostrils with a cotton swab. Bacitracin®, Vaseline®, or Ayr Gel® are examples of over-the-counter ointments you can use. Be sure not to insert the swab more than ¼ inch into your nose. These gels and ointments can be purchased in most pharmacies.
  • Avoid blowing your nose too forcefully.
  • Sneeze through an open mouth. Always sneeze into tissue or into the bend of your arm.
  • Avoid putting anything solid into your nose, including fingers.
  • Limit your use of medications that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Please remember that any adjustment to medication, especially prescribed medication such as warfarin (Coumadin®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should only be done under your doctor’s supervision.
  • See your doctor if your nasal allergy symptoms are not easily controlled with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Make sure you closely follow the directions when using over-the-counter products. Overusing them can cause nosebleeds.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking dries out your nose and irritates it.
  • Wear protective head gear if involved in activities that could result in an injury to your face and nose.
  • Keep your child’s fingernails short.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call your physician.

Outlook / Prognosis

When is a nosebleed a serious event?

Seeing blood coming out of your nose is a scary sight for many people. The good news is that most nosebleeds are not serious and can be managed at home. However, see your doctor or get emergency medical attention if you are losing a heavy amount of blood, if you cannot stop your nosebleed after 20 minutes of trying or have had an immediate injury to your head, face or nose. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have frequent nosebleeds.

Living With

I get frequent nosebleeds. What’s the cause? Should I be concerned?

There are many non-serious reasons why you may be getting frequent nosebleeds. The most common are:

  • Frequent use of nasal sprays for treatment of allergy symptoms or colds/congestion. You may need to stop using these drugs for a short period of time or may need to stop them altogether. Talk with your doctor if you use these products.
  • Living in dry air conditions.
  • Snorting drugs into your nose.

In rare cases, repeated nosebleeds could be a sign of a bleeding disorder or other more serious conditions. If you have frequent nosebleeds, please see your doctor.

What causes nosebleeds while sleeping?

The reasons for nosebleeds during sleep are the same as the reasons why they occur during the daytime – dried nasal membrane caused by dry air, allergies and colds and other upper respiratory infections that damage the delicate nasal membrane lining your nose. Sleeping with your head to the side also may put direct pressure on the nasal cavity and may be another reason for nosebleeds at night.

Why do I see blood every time I blow my nose?

If you blow your nose frequently or blow with force, you can damage the delicate blood vessels in your nose, causing them to bleed.

Types, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Overview

A nosebleed occurs when blood vessels lining the nose get injured and bleed.

What is a nosebleed?

Simply put, a nosebleed is the loss of blood from the tissue that lines the inside of your nose.

Nosebleeds (also called epistaxis) are common. Some 60% of people will have at least one nosebleed in their lifetime. The location of the nose in the middle of the face and the large number of blood vessels close to the surface in the lining of your nose make it an easy target for injury and nosebleeds.

Are nosebleeds serious?

Although seeing blood coming out of your noise can be alarming, most nosebleeds are not serious and can be managed at home. Some, however, should be checked by your doctor. For instance, if you have frequent nosebleeds, see your doctor. This could be an early sign of other medical problems that needs to be investigated. A few nosebleeds start in the back of the nose. These nosebleeds usually involve large blood vessels, result in heavy bleeding and can be dangerous. You will need medical attention for this type of bleed, especially if the bleeding occurs after an injury and the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 20 minutes of applying direct pressure to your nose. (Read on to learn the steps for how to stop a nosebleed.)

Are there different kinds of nosebleeds?

Yes. Nosebleeds are described by the site of the bleed. There are two main types and one is more serious than the other.

An anterior nosebleed starts in the front of the nose on the lower part of the wall that separates the two sides of the nose (called the septum). Capillaries and small blood vessels in this front area of the nose are fragile and can easily break and bleed. This is the most common type of nosebleed and is usually not serious. These nosebleeds are more common in children and are usually able to be treated at home.

A posterior nosebleed occurs deep inside the nose. This nosebleed is caused by a bleed in larger blood vessels in the back part of the nose near the throat. This can be a more serious nosebleed than an anterior nosebleed. It can result in heavy bleeding, which may flow down the back of the throat. You may need medical attention right away for this type of nosebleed. This type of nosebleed is more common in adults.

Who gets nosebleeds?

Anyone can get a nosebleed. Most people will have at least one in their lifetime. However, there are people who are more likely to have a nosebleed. They include:

  • Children between ages two and 10. Dry air, colds, allergies and sticking fingers and objects into their nose make children more prone to nosebleeds.
  • Adults between ages 45 and 65. Blood may take longer to clot in mid-life and older adults. They are also more likely to be taking blood thinning drugs (such as daily aspirin use), have high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the walls of arteries) or a bleeding disorder.
  • Pregnant women. Blood vessels in the nose expand while pregnant, which puts more pressure on the delicate blood vessels in the lining of the nose.
  • People who take blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin or warfarin.
  • People who have blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds have many causes. Fortunately, most are not serious.

The most common cause of nosebleeds is dry air. Dry air can be caused by hot, low-humidity climates or heated indoor air. Both environments cause the nasal membrane (the delicate tissue inside your nose) to dry out and become crusty or cracked and more likely to bleed when rubbed or picked or when blowing your nose.

Other common causes of nosebleeds include:

  • Nose picking.
  • Colds (upper respiratory infections) and sinusitis, especially episodes that cause repeated sneezing, coughing and nose blowing.
  • Blowing your nose with force.
  • Inserting an object into your nose.
  • Injury to the nose and/or face.
  • Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal lining).
  • Blood-thinning drugs (aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin, and others).
  • Cocaine and other drugs inhaled through the nose.
  • Chemical irritants (chemicals in cleaning supplies, chemical fumes at the workplace, other strong odors).
  • High altitudes. The air is thinner (lack of oxygen) and drier as the altitude increases.
  • Deviated septum (an abnormal shape of the wall that separates the two sides of the nose).
  • Frequent use of nasal sprays and medications to treat itchy, runny or stuffy nose. These medications – antihistamines and decongestants – can dry out the nasal membranes.

Other, less common causes of nosebleeds include:

Management and Treatment

To stop a nosebleed, lean your head slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard bony ridge that forms the bridge of your nose.

How do I stop a nosebleed?

Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed:

  • Relax.
  • Sit upright and lean your body and your head slightly forward. This will keep the blood from running down your throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Do NOT lay flat or put your head between your legs.)
  • Breathe through your mouth.
  • Use a tissue or damp washcloth to catch the blood.
  • Use your thumb and index finger to pinch together the soft part of your nose. Make sure to pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard bony ridge that forms the bridge of the nose. Squeezing at or above the bony part of the nose will not put pressure where it can help stop the bleeding.
  • Keep pinching your nose continuously for at least 5 minutes (timed by clock) before checking if the bleeding has stopped. If your nose is still bleeding, continue squeezing the nose for another 10 minutes.
  • If you’d like, apply an ice pack to the bridge of your nose to further help constrict blood vessels (which will slow the bleeding) and provide comfort. This is not a necessary step, but you can try this if you want.
  • You can spray an over-the-counter decongestant spray, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin®, Dristan®, Neo-Synephrine®, Vicks Sinex®, others) into the bleeding side of the nose and then apply pressure to the nose as described above. WARNING: These topical decongestant sprays should not be used over a long period of time. Doing so can actually cause an increase in the chance of a nosebleed.
  • After the bleeding stops, DO NOT bend over, strain and/or lift anything heavy. DO NOT blow or rub your nose for several days.

When should I go to the emergency room if I have a nosebleed?

Call your doctor immediately or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if:

  • You cannot stop the bleeding after more than 15 to 20 minutes of applying direct pressure on your nose as described in the steps above.
  • The bleeding is rapid or the blood loss is large (more than a cup).
  • You are having difficulty breathing.
  • You have vomited because you’ve swallowed a large amount of blood.
  • Your nosebleed has followed a blow to your head or serious injury (fall, car accident, smash to your face or nose).

Call your doctor soon if:

  • You get nosebleeds often.
  • You have symptoms of anemia (feeling weak or faint, tired, cold, short of breath, pale skin).
  • You have a child under two years of age who has had a nosebleed.
  • You are taking blood thinning drugs (such as aspirin or warfarin) or have a blood clotting disorder and the bleeding won’t stop.
  • You get a nosebleed that seems to have occurred with the start of a new medication.
  • You get nosebleeds as well as notice unusual bruising all over your body. This combination may indicate a more serious condition such as a blood clotting disorder (hemophilia or von Willebrand disease), leukemia or nasal tumor and will need to be checked by your doctor.)

What should I expect when I go to my doctor with a nosebleed?

The doctor will ask you questions about your nosebleed including:

  • Length (in minutes) of your nosebleed.
  • Approximate amount of blood that was lost.
  • How often you get nosebleeds.
  • Did the nosebleed involve one or both nostrils.

Your doctor will also ask about medications you are taking – including over-the-counter blood thinning drugs, such as aspirin, and drugs for colds and allergies. They will also ask if there is a family history of blood disorders and ask about your use of alcohol or any illegal drug use in which the drug was sniffed up your nose.

Next, your doctor will examine your nose to determine the source of the bleed and what may have caused it. They will use a small speculum to hold the nostril open and use various light sources or an endoscope (lighted scope) to see inside your nasal passages. Your doctor may use topical medications to anesthetize (numb) the lining of the nose and to constrict blood vessels. The doctor is also likely to remove clots and crusts from inside your nose. This can be unpleasant but is not painful. Your blood pressure and pulse will likely be taken. Occasionally, x-rays or CT scan or blood tests may be ordered to check for bleeding disorders, blood vessel abnormalities or nasal tumors.

What are the treatments for nosebleeds?

Treatments depend on the cause and could include:

  • Nasal packing. Gauze, special nasal sponges or foam or an inflatable latex balloon is inserted into your nose to create pressure at the site of the bleed. The material is often left in place for 24 to 48 hours before being removed by a healthcare professional.
  • Cauterization. This procedure involves applying a chemical substance (silver nitrate) or heat energy (electrocautery) to seal the bleeding blood vessel. A local anesthetic is sprayed in the nostril first to numb the inside of your nose.
  • Medication adjustments/new prescriptions. Reducing or stopping the amount of blood thinning medications can be helpful. In addition, medications for controlling blood pressure may be necessary. Tranexamic (Lystedaâ), a medication to help blood clot, may be prescribed.
  • Foreign body removal if this is the cause of the nose bleed.
  • Surgical repair of a broken nose or correction of a deviated septum if this is the cause of the nosebleed.
  • Ligation. In this procedure, the culprit blood vessel is tied off to stop the bleeding.

Prevention

What can I do to prevent nosebleeds?

  • Use a saline nasal spray or saline nose drops two to three times a day in each nostril to keep your nasal passages moist. These products can be purchased over-the-counter or made at home. (To make the saline solution at home: mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 quart of tap water. Boil water for 20 minutes, cool until lukewarm.)
  • Add a humidifier to your furnace or run a humidifier in your bedroom at night to add moisture to the air.
  • Spread water-soluble nasal gels or ointments in your nostrils with a cotton swab. Bacitracin®, Vaseline®, or Ayr Gel® are examples of over-the-counter ointments you can use. Be sure not to insert the swab more than ¼ inch into your nose. These gels and ointments can be purchased in most pharmacies.
  • Avoid blowing your nose too forcefully.
  • Sneeze through an open mouth. Always sneeze into tissue or into the bend of your arm.
  • Avoid putting anything solid into your nose, including fingers.
  • Limit your use of medications that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Please remember that any adjustment to medication, especially prescribed medication such as warfarin (Coumadin®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should only be done under your doctor’s supervision.
  • See your doctor if your nasal allergy symptoms are not easily controlled with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Make sure you closely follow the directions when using over-the-counter products. Overusing them can cause nosebleeds.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking dries out your nose and irritates it.
  • Wear protective head gear if involved in activities that could result in an injury to your face and nose.
  • Keep your child’s fingernails short.

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call your physician.

Outlook / Prognosis

When is a nosebleed a serious event?

Seeing blood coming out of your nose is a scary sight for many people. The good news is that most nosebleeds are not serious and can be managed at home. However, see your doctor or get emergency medical attention if you are losing a heavy amount of blood, if you cannot stop your nosebleed after 20 minutes of trying or have had an immediate injury to your head, face or nose. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have frequent nosebleeds.

Living With

I get frequent nosebleeds. What’s the cause? Should I be concerned?

There are many non-serious reasons why you may be getting frequent nosebleeds. The most common are:

  • Frequent use of nasal sprays for treatment of allergy symptoms or colds/congestion. You may need to stop using these drugs for a short period of time or may need to stop them altogether. Talk with your doctor if you use these products.
  • Living in dry air conditions.
  • Snorting drugs into your nose.

In rare cases, repeated nosebleeds could be a sign of a bleeding disorder or other more serious conditions. If you have frequent nosebleeds, please see your doctor.

What causes nosebleeds while sleeping?

The reasons for nosebleeds during sleep are the same as the reasons why they occur during the daytime – dried nasal membrane caused by dry air, allergies and colds and other upper respiratory infections that damage the delicate nasal membrane lining your nose. Sleeping with your head to the side also may put direct pressure on the nasal cavity and may be another reason for nosebleeds at night.

Why do I see blood every time I blow my nose?

If you blow your nose frequently or blow with force, you can damage the delicate blood vessels in your nose, causing them to bleed.

Frequent Nosebleeds | Michigan Medicine

Topic Overview

Nosebleeds that recur often are commonly caused by bleeding from the front of the nose (anterior epistaxis). Common causes of this type of nosebleed are:

  • Blowing or picking the nose.
  • Structural problems in the nose, either present from birth (congenital) or caused by an injury.
  • Low humidity.
  • Minor health problems, such as colds or allergies.
  • Minor injuries to the nose.
  • Medicines. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
    • Aspirin and other medicines (called blood thinners) that prevent blood clots.
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
    • Antihistamines, decongestants, and medicated nasal sprays that dry the tissue of the nose and sinuses.

Recurring nosebleeds can also be caused by:

  • Rupture of the blood vessels that are very close to the surface of the lining of the nose.
  • An abnormal growth (polyp or tumor) in the nose or sinuses.
  • Health conditions that affect normal blood clotting.
  • Abnormal blood vessels in the nose, such as with Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome. This syndrome is passed in families (inherited). The abnormal blood vessels make it hard to control a nosebleed.

A nosebleed that recurs 4 times or more in a week needs medical evaluation to determine the seriousness of the problem. A nosebleed that recurs 2 to 3 times in a month may mean that a chronic condition such as allergies is causing the nosebleeds.

When nosebleeds cannot be controlled by home treatment, you need to see your doctor.

Credits

Current as of:
February 26, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson MD – Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine

Current as of: February 26, 2020

Author:
Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD – Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine

Nosebleeds (for Teens) – Nemours KidsHealth

Nosebleeds are usually harmless and easily controlled, but they can look scary. Try not to worry — most nosebleeds are easy to stop.

How Can I Stop a Nosebleed?

Try these simple tips to stop a nosebleed:

  • Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.
  • Sit up or stand.
  • Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 minutes of steady pressure. Don’t stop applying pressure to keep checking if the bleeding has stopped.

If you get a nosebleed, don’t blow your nose. This can cause more bleeding. Also, don’t tilt your head back. This common practice will cause blood to run into your throat. This can make you cough or choke, and if you swallow a lot of blood, you might vomit.

If you’ve tried the steps above twice and the bleeding continues after the second attempt, you’ll need to see your school nurse or a doctor.

After you’ve stopped the initial nosebleed, don’t lift heavy objects or do other activities that cause you to strain, and try not to blow your nose for 24 hours.

Now that your nosebleed is over, let’s take a look at what a nosebleed is and what can cause it.

Different Kinds of Nosebleeds

The most common kind of nosebleed is an anterior nosebleed, which comes from the front of the nose. Capillaries, or very small blood vessels, that are inside the nose may break and bleed, causing this type of nosebleed.

Another kind of nosebleed is a posterior nosebleed, which comes from the deepest part of the nose. Blood from a posterior nosebleed flows down the back of the throat even if the person is sitting or standing. Teens rarely have posterior nosebleeds. They’re more common in older people, people who have high blood pressure, and people who have had nose or face injuries.

What Causes Nosebleeds?

The most common cause of anterior nosebleeds is dry air. A dry climate or heated indoor air irritates and dries out nasal membranes, causing crusts that may itch and then bleed when scratched or picked. Colds may also irritate the lining of the nose. Bleeding may happen after repeated nose-blowing. When you combine a cold with dry winter air, you have the perfect formula for nosebleeds.

Allergies can also cause problems, and a doctor may prescribe medicine such as antihistamines or decongestants to control an itchy, runny, or stuffy nose. The medicine can also dry out the nasal membranes and contribute to nosebleeds.

An injury to the nose may cause bleeding and isn’t usually cause for alarm. If you ever have a facial injury, use the tips outlined earlier to stop the nosebleed. If you can’t stop the bleeding after 10 minutes or you are concerned about other facial injuries, see a medical professional right away.

Nosebleeds are rarely cause for alarm, but frequent nosebleeds might indicate a more serious problem. If you get nosebleeds more than once a week, you should see your doctor. Most cases of frequent nosebleeds are easily treated. Sometimes tiny blood vessels inside the nose become irritated and don’t heal. This happens more frequently in teens who have ongoing allergies or frequent colds. A doctor may have a solution if you have this problem.

If your doctor rules out a sinus infection, allergies, or irritated blood vessels, he or she may order other tests to see why you’re getting frequent nosebleeds. Rarely, a bleeding disorder or abnormally formed blood vessels could be a possibility.

Cocaine (or other drugs that are snorted through the nose) can also cause nosebleeds. If you suspect a friend is using cocaine, try talking about it and get help from a trusted adult.

Can I Prevent Nosebleeds?

  • When you blow your nose (especially when you have a cold), do so gently into a soft tissue. Don’t blow forcefully or pick your nose.
  • Your doctor may recommend a cool-mist humidifier to moisten your indoor air.
  • Keep the inside of your nose moist with saline (saltwater) nasal spray or gel, or dab petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment gently around the opening of the nostrils.
  • Wear protective athletic equipment when playing sports that could cause injury to the nose.

An occasional nosebleed may make you worry, but there’s no need to panic — now you know what to do!

Nosebleed (Epistaxis) in Children | Cedars-Sinai

Not what you’re looking for?

What is a nosebleed in children?

A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel. The medical word for nosebleed is epistaxis. Most nosebleeds in children occur in the front part of the nose close to the nostrils. This part of the nose has many tiny blood vessels. These can be damaged easily.

A nosebleed can look scary, but is usually not a serious problem. Nosebleeds are common in children. They happen more often in dry climates. They also happen more during the winter. That’s when dry heat in homes and buildings can cause drying, cracking, and crusting inside the nose. Many children outgrow nosebleeds during their teen years.

What causes a nosebleed in a child?

Nosebleeds can be caused by many things. Some common causes include:

  • Dry air
  • Picking the nose
  • Blowing the nose too hard
  • Injury to the nose
  • Colds and allergies
  • Object in the nose

In many cases, no specific cause for a nosebleed is found.

Which children are at risk for a nosebleed?

A child may be more at risk for nosebleed if he or she:

  • Lives in a dry climate
  • Picks his or her nose
  • Has allergies
  • Has a cold

What are the symptoms of a nosebleed in a child?

The main symptom of a nosebleed is blood dripping or running from the nose. Bleeding from the mucus membranes in the front of the nose comes from only one nostril. Bleeding higher up in the nasal cavity may come from both nostrils. It may be painless. Or your child may have pain caused by an injury or an area of sore tissue inside the nose.

The symptoms of a nosebleed can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is a nosebleed diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she may also ask about any recent accidents or injuries. He or she will give your child a physical exam.

How is a nosebleed treated in a child?

  • Calm and comfort your child.
  • Have your child sit up and lean forward slightly. Don’t have your child lie down. This is to prevent him or her from swallowing blood. Swallowing blood may make your child vomit. Don’t have your child put his or her head between the knees. This can make bleeding worse.
  • Tell your child to breathe out of his or her mouth. Gently pinch the nostrils closed for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t stop pinching to check if bleeding has stopped.
  • Apply a cold compress to the bridge of the nose. Don’t put tissues or gauze in your child’s nose.
  • If bleeding does not stop, repeat the above steps again.
  • Once the bleeding stops, tell your child not to rub, pick, or blow his or her nose for 2 to 3 days. This will let the broken blood vessel heal.

If your child’s nose doesn’t stop bleeding, take him or her to see the healthcare provider. In some cases a provider may apply heat to close a blood vessel. This is called cauterization. It is a quick procedure. Talk with your child’s healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments.

How can I help prevent a nosebleed in my child?

If your child has nosebleeds often, you can help prevent them in these ways:

  • Run a cool mist humidifier in your child’s room at night, if the air in your home is dry. Clean the humidifier regularly so germs and mold don’t grow in it.
  • Teach your child not to pick his or her nose or blow it too hard.
  • Put petroleum jelly inside your child’s nostrils several times a day. This is to help protect the mucus membranes.
  • Use saltwater (saline) nose drops or spray as directed by your child’s healthcare provider.
  • Talk with your child’s healthcare provider if your child has allergies that may lead to nosebleeds.
  • Don’t smoke in the home or around your child.

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?

Call the healthcare provider if:

  • You can’t stop the nosebleed
  • The nose bleeds again
  • Your child has an injury to the head or face
  • There is a large amount of blood
  • Your child feels faint, weak, ill, or has trouble breathing
  • Your child has bleeding from other parts of the body, such as in the stool, urine, or gums, or bruises easily
  • An object is stuck in your child’s nose

Key points about a nosebleed in children

  • A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel.
  • A nosebleed can look scary, but is usually not a serious problem. Nosebleeds are common in children. They happen more often in dry climates. They also happen more during the winter. That’s when dry heat in homes and buildings can cause drying, cracking, and crusting inside the nose.
  • Nosebleeds can be caused by many things, such as dry air, nose picking, and allergies. In many cases, no specific cause for a nosebleed is found.
  • Have your child sit up and lean forward slightly. Don’t have your child lie down. This is to prevent him or her from swallowing blood. Swallowing blood may make your child vomit.
  • Gently pinch the nostrils closed for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t stop pinching to check if bleeding has stopped.
  • Run a cool mist humidifier in your child’s room at night, if the air in your home is dry. Teach your child not to pick his or her nose or blow it too hard. Apply petroleum jelly inside your child’s nostrils several times a day.

 

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

  • Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
  • Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
  • At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
  • Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
  • Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
  • Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
  • Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
  • If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
  • Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

Not what you’re looking for?

Nosebleed

Is this your child’s symptom?

  • Bleeding from 1 or both nostrils
  • Not caused by an injury

Causes of Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common because of the rich blood supply of the nose. Common causes include:

  • Spontaneous Nosebleed. Most nosebleeds start up without a known cause.
  • Rubbing. Rubbing or picking the nose is the most common known cause. It’s hard to not touch or rub the nose.
  • Blowing. Blowing the nose too hard can cause a nose bleed.
  • Suctioning. Suctioning the nose can sometimes cause bleeding. This can happen if the suction tip is put in too far.
  • Sinus Infections. The main symptoms are lots of dry snot and a blocked nose. This leads to extra nose blowing and picking. The sinus infection is more often viral than bacterial.
  • Nose Allergies. The main symptom is a very itchy nose. This leads to extra rubbing and blowing.
  • Dry Air. Dryness of the nasal lining makes it more likely to bleed. In the winter, forced air heating often can dry out the nose.
  • Allergy Medicines. These help the nasal symptoms, but also dry out the nose.
  • Ibuprofen and Aspirin. These medicines increase the bleeding tendency. Aspirin is not used in children.
  • Bleeding Disorder (Serious). This means the blood platelets or clotting factors are missing or not working right. A bleeding disorder should be suspected if the nosebleed can’t be stopped. Excessive bleeding from the gums or with minor cuts is also a clue. Bleeding disorders are a rare cause of frequent nosebleeds.

When to Call for Nosebleed

Call 911 Now

  • Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand
  • You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Nosebleed that won’t stop after 10 minutes of squeezing the nose correctly
  • Large amount of blood has been lost
  • New skin bruises or bleeding gums not caused by an injury also present
  • High-risk child (such as with low platelets or other bleeding disorder)
  • You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Age less than 1 year old
  • New onset nosebleeds happen 3 or more times in a week
  • Hard-to-stop nosebleeds are a frequent problem
  • Easy bleeding is present in other family members
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Care Advice for Nosebleed

  1. What You Should Know About Nosebleeds:
    • Nosebleeds are common.
    • You should be able to stop the bleeding if you use the correct technique.
    • Here is some care advice that should help.
  2. Squeeze the Lower Nose:
    • Gently squeeze the soft parts of the lower nose together. Gently press them against the center wall for 10 minutes. This puts constant pressure on the bleeding point.
    • Use the thumb and index finger in a pinching manner.
    • If the bleeding continues, move your point of pressure.
    • Have your child sit up and breathe through the mouth during this procedure.
    • If rebleeds, use the same technique again.
  3. Put Gauze into the Nose:
    • If pressure alone fails, use a piece of gauze. Wet it with a few drops of water. Another option is to put a little petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) on it.
    • Insert the wet gauze into the side that is bleeding. Press again for 10 minutes. Reason it works: the gauze puts more pressure on the bleeding spot.
    • Special nose drops: if your child has lots of nose bleeds, buy some decongestant nose drops. An example is Afrin. No prescription is needed. Put 3 drops on the gauze and press. The nose drops also shrink the blood vessels in the nose.
    • Caution: don’t use decongestant nose drops if your child is under 1 year of age.
    • If you don’t have gauze, use a piece of paper towel.
    • Repeat the process of gently squeezing the lower soft parts of the nose. Do this for 10 minutes.
  4. Prevent Recurrent Nosebleeds:
    • If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier to keep the nose from drying out.
    • For nose blowing, blow gently.
    • For nose suctioning, don’t put the suction tip very far inside. Also, move it gently.
    • Do not use aspirin and ibuprofen. Reason: Increases bleeding tendency.
    • Bleeding areas in the front of the nose sometimes develop a scab. It may heal slowly and re-bleed. If that happens to your child, try this tip. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the spot. Repeat twice a day. Do not use for more than 1 week.
  5. What to Expect:
    • Over 99% of nosebleeds will stop if you press on the right spot.
    • It may take 10 minutes of direct pressure.
    • After swallowing blood from a nosebleed, your child may vomit a little blood.
    • Your child may also pass a dark stool tomorrow from swallowed blood.
  6. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Can’t stop bleeding with 10 minutes of direct pressure done correctly
    • You think your child needs to be seen
    • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 10/30/2021

Last Revised: 10/21/2021

Copyright 2000-2021. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

90,000 “For what reasons does an adult bleed from a nose?” – Yandex.Qu

Anyone has had to deal with nosebleeds at least once. But not everyone knows why the nose is bleeding. The reasons for this phenomenon in an adult can be very different: overwork and fatigue, nose injuries, as well as other more serious diseases.

In cases where nosebleeds are quite frequent, a medical examination should be urgently needed to identify the true cause or disease.

Similar symptoms can signal a disease of various internal organs – liver, kidneys, and blood. In addition, nosebleeds can be caused by cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism and various infectious diseases.

Classification

The volume of blood flowed out of the nose can range from a few milliliters to half a liter.

  1. A blood loss of a few milliliters is considered insignificant.Such bleeding is harmless to health and does not lead to any consequences. The only negative aspect may be fright, hysteria, or fainting in young children.
  2. Blood loss is assessed as moderate if its volume does not exceed 200 ml. Such blood loss causes slight weakness, dizziness, rapid pulse and flashing of flies in front of the eyes. Blanching of visible mucous membranes and skin is possible.
  3. Massive blood loss is referred to in cases where up to 300 ml of blood flows out in total or at one time.It is accompanied by more pronounced symptoms in comparison with a mild degree: weakness, tinnitus, dizziness, headache, thirst, shortness of breath.
  4. Profuse bleeding is characterized by a large volume – 500 ml and more. Massive blood loss leads to hemorrhagic shock, which is expressed in a sharp drop in blood pressure, lethargy, various impairments of consciousness up to its loss, insufficient blood circulation in the internal organs.

Also, nosebleeds can be roughly divided into local and general.Local ones are those that cause blood in case of local damage to the nose, and general ones that cause bleeding in general.

Why does an adult have nosebleeds: reasons

Drops or trickles of blood emerging from the nasal passages are the result of vascular damage. This happens as a result of either mechanical stress (nose injury) or internal processes in the body.

Let’s consider in more detail the main reasons why an adult can bleed from the nose, and what to do in this case:

  1. Trauma – the most common injury to the nose is caused by various blows in the face area, which may be accompanied by a fracture of its septum with the development of severe bleeding.In childhood, the habit of picking the nose with a finger or any objects (pencil, pen) leads to injuries to the nasal mucosa.
  2. Impact of external conditions. Long exposure to the sun, fatigue, physical exertion are factors that can cause spontaneous nosebleeds. This is a solitary phenomenon, it is not a reason for going to the doctor, the blood quickly stops and the incident is forgotten.
  3. Sunstroke and overheating are one of the major contributors to nosebleeds, especially in the summer.Due to high temperatures, the nasal cavity becomes dry and the vessels become fragile. They burst easily and bleeds from the nose. To protect yourself from heatstroke, you need to wear a panama hat or hat, and stay more in a shady place.
  4. Drying of the mucous membranes can also cause bleeding from the nose, as the capillaries become fragile. Drying out of the nasal mucosa can be the result of prolonged exposure to dry air or frost.

The second group of nosebleeds is caused, as a rule, by much more serious causes, consisting in systemic disorders.In this case, nosebleeds are not a separate pathological condition, but a manifestation of the symptoms of diseases of any organs and physiological systems, most often the respiratory and circulatory. This group includes diseases such as:

  1. Hypertension. High blood pressure or intracranial pressure can also cause nosebleeds. But this is more a blessing than a disaster, because it is better to lose some blood and lower blood pressure than to earn a stroke.By the way, most often pressure drops occur from 4 to 6 in the morning. This fact explains why some people have nosebleeds in the morning.
  2. Inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis) or sinuses (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis) – inflammation weakens the walls of blood vessels, making them more brittle. An acute respiratory viral infection, allergic rhinitis, bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci, Escherichia coli) can lead to the development of an inflammatory process.
  3. Papillomas in the nose – growths on the mucous membrane.They are the result of a viral infection, dangerous mutations in malignant tumors. Polyps put pressure on blood vessels, make breathing difficult, and cause frequent bleeding in the morning.
  4. Vegeto-vascular dystonia – accompanied by weak brittle vessels, often causes nosebleeds in an adult or child diagnosed with VSD. Additional symptoms are watery blood discharge, headache, tinnitus.
  5. Atherosclerosis – changes in blood vessels, loss of their elasticity, frequent damage with the occurrence of various bleeding (internal and external).
  6. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland that causes high levels of stress hormones. Because of this, the pressure rises sharply and constantly bleeds from the nose. Signs of this tumor are frequent nosebleeds and dry nose. With such symptoms, you should contact the clinic.
  7. Taking medications. Typically, bleeding is caused by drugs designed to prevent blood clotting. These include heparin, aspirin, and others. Blood from the nose can flow with prolonged and uncontrolled use of nasal sprays that dry out the mucous membrane.
  8. Cancer diseases. Epistaxis occurs with malignant and benign neoplasms in the nose. In addition to bleeding, there may be an ulcer on the nasal mucosa, swelling of the nose, and a change in its shape.
  9. Diseases accompanied by blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia.
  10. Vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is known to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. If it is not enough, the vascular walls become loose and brittle. This fact can be the answer to the question why the nose often bleeds.

In adults, the most common cause of nasal bleeding is damage to the vessels of the anterior nasal septum (Kisselbach’s site), densely penetrated by a network of small arterioles and capillaries. Such bleeding, as a rule, does not pose a threat to human health. Blood from the nose flows out in drops or in a thin stream and, with normal clotting, quickly stops on its own.

The situation is worse when the vessels of the upper and posterior parts of the nasal cavity are damaged.There are noticeably more arteries here than in the anterior section, and therefore bleeding is stronger, can cause significant harm to health and even lead to death due to very severe blood loss. In this case, the blood flows in a bright red, non-foamy stream, it can appear from the mouth, and practically does not stop on its own.

What to do when nosebleeds?

There is no point in treating symptoms alone, since the underlying disease must be eliminated.The causes of frequent nosebleeds are determined by the doctor. It is necessary to visit a therapist or pediatrician and otolaryngologist. For diagnosis, you will need to pass a general blood test and check the indicators of its coagulability.

Bleeds from the nose may not be so harmless. Many do not pay enough attention to this. If nosebleeds bother in rare cases and then due to mechanical stress, then there is no need to worry.

If the nosebleeds bother you often, gushes with a stream, or the bleeding is profuse and prolonged – all this is a signal for an early referral to a specialist for help.

How to stop nosebleeds?

If blood flows out of the nose as a result of mechanical damage and there is not much of it, as well as in addition to a slight headache, there are no signs of serious ill health, you can cope with the problem on your own. The sequence of tasks is as follows: first we stop the bleeding, then with the help of analgesics, you can reduce the intensity of pain.

Get into a sitting position and tilt your head back slightly.Loosen the tie knot, unbutton the collar. Do not tilt your head forward – this will cause blood to flow to the nose area and increased bleeding. You also can’t throw your head back – blood will penetrate into the nasopharynx and lead to vomiting.

On the bridge of the nose, you can put a piece of ice or a towel soaked in cold water – for a short time, for about ten minutes. You can also apply a cold water dampened tissue to the back of your neck. It is advisable to press the nostril from which the blood is coming for 5-10 minutes until the bleeding stops.If the bleeding is heavy or does not stop, use tampons. For this, cotton swabs moistened with hydrogen peroxide are suitable, they need to be inserted into the nose, but not too deep, and sit for 10-15 minutes.

If there is no tampon and hydrogen peroxide, then insert a bandage into the nostril from which the blood comes, leaving at least 10 centimeters outside so that it can be freely removed from the nostril. This is done in order to prevent the flow of blood from the nose. Also, if you have vasoconstrictor drugs for nasal instillation, then apply a few drops to the tampon and insert it into the nose.These drops will help to tighten the damaged vessel, which caused the bleeding. Then place the person in a cool, quiet, dark room. It happens that these measures are already enough.

If the bleeding is profuse and you cannot stop it quickly enough at home, your head hurts badly, speech, vision or consciousness in general is impaired – call an ambulance immediately.

Material provided

simptomy-lechenie.net

Blood from the nose: causes and rules of first aid | Healthy life | Health

In 90% of cases, it is not difficult to stop nosebleeds, but the correct sequence of actions is needed.

First . Don’t panic, try to calm down, because when we are worried, our heart beats faster and blood loss increases.

Second . Sit down and tilt your head slightly forward.

Third . Try to do everything so that you can breathe comfortably – unbutton your collar, loosen your clothes, open a window.

Fourth . Breathe in as deeply as possible, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This will improve circulation and blood clotting.

Fifth . Place an ice pack or a towel soaked in cold water on the bridge of your nose, and a heating pad on your feet. This will narrow the vessels of the nose, dilate the vessels in the legs, due to which there will be an outflow of blood from the head.

Sixth . Squeeze the wings of the nose with your fingers and keep your hands in this position for several minutes. You can also insert a sterile cotton ball moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution into the nostril. So you squeeze the bleeding vessel.

Seventh . For severe bleeding, you can drink 1-2 teaspoons of a 5-10% solution of calcium chloride (calcium gluconate, glycerophosphate), two tablets of vicasol or another hemostatic agent. If not, you can drink 1-2 teaspoons of salt water.

Eighth . If, despite all measures, it is not possible to stop the blood, call an ambulance. Even insignificant, at first glance, losses threaten with anemia, dizziness and fainting.

Errors

A common mistake in nosebleeds is the patient’s tendency to lie down. This should not be done, because when a person lies down, the blood does not flow out of the nose and it seems that the bleeding has stopped. But this impression is deceiving. Most often, bleeding continues, only lying down the patient swallows blood. Otolaryngologist Ekaterina Avdeeva spoke about the correct behavior for nosebleeds >>

Reasons

Bleeding from the nose can be caused by various reasons, including nose injuries, fatigue and overwork.

Injury . Mechanical trauma is one of the common causes of nosebleeds. Blood can go if a person picks his nose, or during a runny nose – when the nose is injured by handkerchiefs.

Drying .Drying of the mucous membrane occurs in frost or dry indoor air and can lead to bleeding.

Poor blood clotting . Bleeding from the nose can occur with poor blood clotting, as well as in those who take acetylsalicylic acid and other blood-thinning drugs.

Vitamin K . Bleeding caused by poor blood clotting may be associated with a lack of vitamin K. Its sources are spinach, lettuce, all types of cabbage, avocados, bananas, wheat bran, soybeans, meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, and olive oil.

Vitamin C . Vitamin C affects the state of blood vessels, with a deficiency of which their fragility increases. This explains the bleeding in children after illness, when the body is weakened and lacks vitamins, as well as in winter and spring. Therefore, it is important to monitor your diet, especially after illness and during the cold season.

Vegetovascular dystonia . If spontaneous bleeding from the nose is preceded by headache and tinnitus, and the nose bleeds against the background of watery discharge, then, most likely, the cause is vegetative vascular dystonia.Many people, especially children, do not tolerate weather changes badly, due to which blood pressure also changes dramatically, the vessels either expand or narrow, as a result of which their walls cannot withstand and burst.

Hormones . This reason explains the nosebleeds in girls during hormonal changes, this phenomenon is called replacement bleeding. The tissue of the nose and the tissue of the genitals are of the same type, it is called the cavernous tissue. If you look at it under a microscope, you can see the closest interlacing of tangles of blood vessels.

Therefore, when, before the onset of menstruation, the blood rushes to the genitals, the cavernous tissues of the nose also swell reflexively, the vessels overflow with blood, sometimes they cannot stand it, burst, and blood flows from the nose.

Usually, with the establishment of a constant menstrual cycle, these problems in girls disappear, but this does not prevent you from telling the endocrinologist and gynecologist about them during the appointment.

Overheating . Blood from the nose is often associated with overheating of the body, for example, in the summer with sunstroke, and in the winter with a rise in temperature during the flu and respiratory infections.

Sudden pressure drops . Climbers and divers often suffer from nosebleeds due to the fact that they have to endure sudden changes in pressure.

In children, 90% of spontaneous nosebleeds originate from the Kisselbach plexus zone – this is the place at the lower edge of the nasal septum, where there is a very dense network of branched blood vessels. In children, the vessels are located close to the surface, while the mucous membrane is thin, so any damage to the mucous membrane and a sharp expansion of the vessels can cause bleeding.

Prevention

To avoid nosebleeds, humidify the air in the room with a steam generator, you can also put wet towels on the battery, spray the room with a spray bottle, and have a lot of indoor plants in your house.

If crusts are often formed in the nose, you cannot pick them out, it is better to periodically instill 2-3 drops of sea buckthorn oil or rosehip oil in the nose.

For the prevention of nosebleeds, a course of ascorutin (1 month) is recommended, which strengthens the capillary walls.

When do you need a doctor’s help?

Heavy and frequent bleeding is a reason to consult a physician or otolaryngologist. If the problem is in the defect of the vascular wall, as a rule, cauterization of the vessel with the help of liquid nitrogen, laser or radio wave surgery is prescribed.

Bleeding caused by high blood pressure, all the more, should not be ignored, they signal an increased risk of strokes.

90,000 Why is nose bleeding and how to stop it?

Did you or your child run nosebleeds? Don’t panic, because in most cases there is nothing to worry about.If you know how to properly stop bleeding, it will stop on its own – without drugs and special procedures. In this article, you will learn why nose bleeds, how to stop it, and when you need to seek medical help.

Our nose contains a large number of tiny vessels (arterioles) that are very easy to damage. Basically, bleeding affects children aged 2-10 years and adults aged 50-80 years.

Depending on which part of the nose bleeds, nosebleeds are divided into 2 types:

  1. Anterior – if the source of bleeding is in the front of the nose,
  2. Rear – if the source is in the back of the nose.

Anterior nosebleeds

In most cases, blood comes from the lower part of the nasal septum, a semi-rigid wall that separates the nostrils from each other. The septum contains vessels that can be easily damaged by the sharp edge of the nail or a gentle blow to the nose. This type of bleeding is common in dry climates or during winter when dry, warm indoor air dehydrates the nasal membranes. Dryness causes the nasal mucosa to crust, crack and bleed.In most cases, a person is worried about anterior nosebleeds, which does not pose a great danger. You can stop it yourself at home.

Posterior nosebleeds

In some cases, blood comes from areas that are located above and deep inside the nose. In this situation, it flows into the mouth and throat, even if the patient is standing or sitting. As a rule, posterior bleeding is more severe and prolonged.It almost always requires medical attention, because a person runs the risk of losing a lot of blood. Most often, posterior nosebleeds occur in the elderly, hypertensive patients, and those with injuries to the nose or face.

Blood from the nose: causes

Among the main causes of episodic or repeated bleeding are noted:

  • Allergies, infections or dryness that cause itching and provoke the desire to get into the nose with a finger.
  • Severe blowing out of the nose that damages superficial blood vessels.
  • Curved nasal septum.
  • Too frequent use of vasoconstrictor drops or sprays.
  • Taking certain medications – especially anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Blood clotting disorders caused by genetic (hereditary) pathologies.
  • Fractures of the nose or base of the skull. Head injuries that cause nosebleeds are a medical emergency.
  • Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Randu’s disease) is a disorder in which blood vessels grow in the back of the nose (like birthmarks).
  • It is extremely rare that the cause can be hidden in benign or malignant tumors. Most often, this disorder occurs in the elderly and smokers.

How to stop a nosebleed?

The following is an algorithm of actions that will help stop anterior bleeding:

  • Try not to panic, calm down (or calm the child).
  • Keep your head above the level of your heart – for this you need to sit down, but not lie down.
  • Lean forward slightly to prevent blood from entering your throat.
  • Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch both nostrils. There is no need to insert cotton swabs into the nostrils before this.
  • Sit in this position for 5-10 minutes without opening your fingers. If you check every 1-2 minutes to see if the bleeding has stopped, the process may be delayed.
  • If after 10 minutes the blood has not stopped, continue the procedure for another 10 minutes.
  • If desired, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the bridge of the nose.

Such first aid for nosebleeds in the vast majority of cases helps to stop the bleeding. In order for it not to go again after a short time, you must adhere to 3 basic rules:

  • Do not blow your nose out and do not climb into it with your fingers,
  • Do not strain or bend over if you lift something heavy,
  • Hold head at a level above the heart.

What to do in case of nosebleeds , which does not stop for a long time?

If blood does not stop after 30 minutes, seek medical attention. You also need to call an ambulance if:

  • Blood is coming after a recent operation on the nose,
  • Blood is running very hard or it becomes difficult to breathe,
  • You turn pale, you have severe fatigue, dizziness or a feeling of disorientation,
  • Serious accompanying symptoms have appeared such as headaches or chest pain,
  • You are taking anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory drugs,
  • The person has repeated bleeding within a short period of time.

In case of a nosebleed with a head injury, it is better to call the hospital right away!

What can be done to reduce the frequency of bleeding?

Now you know how to stop bleeding from the nose, and in which cases you need to seek medical help as soon as possible. What measures can be taken to prevent repeated bleeding:

  • Keep the mucous membrane of the nasal septum moist – for this you need to lubricate it with petroleum jelly 3 times a day.
  • Do not reach into your nose with your fingers, as sharp nails can easily damage blood vessels.
  • Trim your children’s nails more often – this will prevent them from damaging the vessels in the nose.
  • Buy a humidifier if possible.
  • If you smoke, try to quit this habit, which contributes to dehydration and irritation of the nasal mucosa.

In what cases is it necessary to go to an ENT appointment?

If nosebleeds bother you often, you must be examined by an otolaryngologist.This specialist will conduct a thorough examination, after which he will give recommendations or prescribe treatment. Sometimes, to identify the exact cause, the patient is prescribed diagnostic procedures:

  • Endoscopy of the nose (examination of the nasal cavity using an endoscope),
  • Complete blood count,
  • Prothrombin test,
  • Blood test for partial thromboplastin time.

Treatment tactics will depend on the cause of the nosebleeds and may include:

  • Tamponade of the nasal cavity,
  • Cauterization of blood vessels,
  • Blood pressure control,
  • If indicated, reduce the dosage of anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory drugs ,
  • Treatment of disorders that interfere with normal blood clotting.

If you suffer from frequent nosebleeds and live in Kiev, come for a consultation with an adult or pediatric ENT at the Persomed Medical Center.

Sources :

  1. Nosebleeds, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery,
  2. Nosebleed, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
  3. Nosebleed, NHS,
  4. Patient education: Nosebleeds (epistaxis) (Beyond the Basics), UpToDate.

Stopping dangerous nosebleeds from the anterior ethmoid artery

By Olga Romanova,

otorhinolaryngologist.Ph.D.

Stopping dangerous nosebleeds from the anterior ethmoid artery

In the evening, a 45-year-old man was admitted to the EMC emergency department with severe nosebleeds, which required urgent hospitalization. Bleeding from the nose was not constant, but episodic: gushing streams of blood occurred at a frequency of about once every half an hour, and during one episode the patient lost about 100 ml of blood.

Cases of nosebleeds (epistaxis) are quite common in the practice of ENT doctors and account for about 10% of the total number of patients. Usually it is capillary bleeding from the outer parts of the nasal septum, the so-called “light” nosebleeds. In the anterior part of the nasal septum, the Kisselbach zone (bleeding zone of the nose) is located on both sides, which serves as a source of bleeding in 90-95% of cases. The frequency of damage to this area is due to the large number of capillaries that anastomose with each other, emanating from the arteries located in this zone.The mucous membrane of this area is thin, practically devoid of the submucous layer, which makes the vessels located here vulnerable both to external mechanical stress and to an increase in blood pressure. Such bleeding is not life threatening, but it causes a lot of trouble for patients. These bleeding is treated quite simply: mainly with the use of ointment or oily preparations, less often – with the help of electrocoagulation of the vessels of the nasal septum.

In case of arterial nosebleeds (damage to rather large vascular trunks, which are mainly localized in the walls of the deep parts of the nasal cavity), the volume of blood loss increases rapidly, which can pose a threat to life.It is extremely rare to stop such bleeding on its own. In such cases, tightly occluding nasal tampons are used, which are in the nasal cavity for 3 to 7 days. During this time, the patient is under the supervision of a doctor on an outpatient basis.

Bleeding of this nature happened in a patient who was admitted to our clinic for the first time, and at first the doctors did not have an understanding of the causes that caused it. The examination revealed that the patient suffers from arterial hypertension, which he did not know about.The probable weakness of the vascular wall in combination with a slight increase in blood pressure (up to 150 mm Hg) against the background of stress provoked bleeding from one of the arteries feeding the brain and nasal cavity.

Anatomically, the mucous membrane of the anterior and posterior parts of the nose feeds on the branches of the pterygopalatine, anterior and posterior ethmoid and superior labial arteries, which are branches of the internal and external carotid arteries. High blood pressure in these vessels causes extremely intense bleeding and makes it difficult to identify the artery that is the source of epistaxis.

Upon admission to the emergency and emergency department, the patient underwent anterior nasal tamponade in parallel with massive intravenous hemostatic therapy and the administration of drugs to lower blood pressure. Because the anterior tamponade did not allow to stop the bleeding; after a while, the otorhinolaryngologist on duty installed tampons in the posterior parts of the nasal cavity.

None of the above methods of treatment proved to be effective, and against the background of the loss of a large amount of blood, the patient’s hemoglobin decreased, weakness and dizziness appeared, so it was decided to conduct an urgent surgical intervention in order to stop bleeding.The first step was to find out which of the branches of the carotid arteries was bleeding. Anesthesiologists medically lowered the pressure to a level at which bleeding was stopped. Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity revealed that the source of the problem is the anterior ethmoid artery, which runs through the orbit of the eye. When the ethmoid arteries (branches of the internal carotid artery) are the source of epistaxis, an endonasal opening of the ethmoid labyrinth on the side of the bleeding can be performed, however, surgeons Jean-René Millier and Romanova Olga Nikolaevna decided to clip the ethmoid artery through the orbit above the rupture site.An incision was made between the inner edge of the eye socket and the bridge of the nose. The artery was sealed with two metal staples. The operation lasted about 20 minutes, and the manipulations performed helped to stop the bleeding. In the postoperative period, there was a redistribution of the volume of blood flow along the extensive network of anastomoses of the facial vessels, and the blockade of the anterior ethmoid artery did not cause negative consequences in the blood supply to the organs. The operation did not affect the appearance and function of the eye. The patient was fully conscious 2 hours after the end of the operation.He was in the hospital under the supervision of a doctor for another 3 days. The stitches were removed after 7 days. Due to the fact that a cosmetic suture was applied to the operating wound, there was practically no trace of the incision on the face. After the completion of treatment, the patient was recommended to consult a cardiologist in order to prescribe a course of treatment to stabilize blood pressure and to avoid recurrence of complex bleeding in the future.

Author: Olga Romanova, otorhinolaryngologist, Ph.M.Sc.

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90,000 Blood from a child’s nose: causes

Child: pixabay.com

For most parents, nosebleeds in a child cause panic, as it is perceived as a signal of a threat to the baby’s health. It is especially troubling when bleeding occurs regularly or is profuse. We propose to consider situations in which children have nosebleeds.Find out how to act correctly in such cases.

Blood from the nose in a child: causes

Any bloody discharge from the nose in toddlers or adolescents is a danger signal that the body gives. In order to properly prescribe treatment, you need to know why the nose is bleeding.

Factors causing nosebleeds in children are physiological, pathological (in simple words, provoked by diseases) or traumatic. Let’s consider the most common cases when and under what circumstances a child has nosebleeds:

  • Seasonal nosebleeds.

In my practice and the practice of colleagues, complaints from parents that periodically bleed from the nose in a child of 6 years old, in infants and toddlers of kindergarten age, increase in the autumn-spring and winter periods.

Usually, this symptom manifests itself against the background of absolute health (the absence of infectious diseases, including respiratory diseases, disorders in the vascular system, problems with blood clotting), this condition is most likely caused by one of two reasons:

  1. Dry air in the room.It complicates the child’s breathing, dries out his mucous membrane and injures the vessels of the nose.
  2. Hypovitaminosis. Most often, doctors record a lack of vitamins in the spring. However, it happens that a child often bleeds from the nose due to systemic malnutrition or malnutrition, as a result of which his body does not receive essential trace elements for development – iron, vitamins A and C.

As a result, the walls of the vessels become fragile, therefore with any blowing of the nose, rinsing the nose, sneezing, epistaxis will begin – in the common language, nosebleeds.

Palchun V.T., Magomedov M.M., Luchikhin L.A.: Otorhinolaryngology. – M., 2011.

  • ARVI, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis.

One of the pediatric colleagues shared the following observation: a 6-year-old child was being treated for a viral infection, which was accompanied by rhinitis. In the process of treating a cold, the baby developed snot with blood – small blood clots in the mucous secretion.

Such a situation is not uncommon, when during the treatment of rhinitis, seasonal rhinitis, allergies, blood from the nose appears.The reason in this case lies in the methods of treatment. As S. Pukhlik points out in his research, the first thing that doctors should pay attention to when nosebleeds occur in children when treating a cold are:

  • nasal drops, which are prescribed for a child;
  • frequency and adequacy of their use by a mother or teenager.

Most mothers are sure that vasoconstrictor drops are prescribed as a remedy. In fact, this is an auxiliary medication in the complex treatment of rhinitis.Its purpose is to relieve swelling of the nasal passages in order to facilitate the passage of mucus.

Pediatricians are very careful in prescribing these drugs, because they can cause a back reaction in the child if the mucous membrane is too dry. The consequence is nosebleeds, which usually occur when blowing the nose.

It will also begin if the mother or child exceeds the prescribed dose (the nose drips more often than necessary) or does it incorrectly (drips not on the mucous membrane, but inside the nasal passages).In these cases, nosebleeds in children are the result of intoxication (in other words, poisoning).

To enhance the effectiveness of nasal drops, doctors, as noted by The British Medical Journal, prescribe antihistamines. They are indispensable in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

  • Anatomical changes in the nose.

At one of the pediatrician colleagues at the appointment, the mother noticed that a 4-year-old child periodically bleeds through his nose for no apparent reason.At the same time, she pointed out that the boy has recently been sleeping poorly, breathing through his mouth day and night, and has become restless. When examined by an otolaryngologist, the cause of the bleeding was determined – overgrown adenoids. Polyps also provoke nosebleeds.

Children often have nosebleeds if the nasal septum is deviated. Such deformity is usually accompanied by concomitant symptoms – chronic runny nose, allergies, headaches, snoring during sleep, apnea (stopping breathing during sleep).Deformations of the nasal cartilage are the result of abnormal development of the skull or injury.

Anatomy – Human Organs: Encyclopedia 4D: – M., 2018.

  • High blood pressure.

The British Medial Journal gives an interesting example of recurrent epistaxis (in simple words, nosebleeds) in a 16-year-old boy. The adolescent’s nosebleed on the background of absolute health manifested itself from time to time throughout the year. The bleeding lasted 10-15 minutes and stopped on its own without medical intervention.

What happened? Such nosebleeds are the body’s response to a hormonal imbalance that causes an increase in blood pressure. As a result, the vessels of the nose could not withstand the sharp increase in pressure and burst. However, when the vascular tone decreased due to bleeding, the pressure dropped, the blood stopped by itself.

In my practice, it often happens that when examining children of 13-15 years old, problems are found associated with the development of the autonomic system at this age stage.A 14-year-old girl complained of headaches, palpitations that occur periodically, and nosebleeds. The examination showed that the girl had VSD – vegetative-vascular dystonia. The cause of unpleasant symptoms, including nosebleeds, is hormonal changes in the body.

  • Injuries and the body’s response to overheating.

Injuries (bruises) of the nose or foreign objects entering the nasal passages are a common cause of bleeding in toddlers and adolescents.Also, such a reaction of the body is caused by sun and heat strokes.

Bleeding from the nose is a symptom of diseases of internal organs, the development of oncology, and blood clotting disorders. Therefore, when nosebleeds are regular, profuse, when you do not know how to stop the bleeding, urgently seek medical attention.

A child’s nosebleed: what to do

How to stop a nosebleed? This seems to be a very simple question. However, as Samuel Cartwright has established, even the nursing staff (nurses, paramedics) do not always do it right.The author of the publication The BMJ pointed out that it is wrong to lay the child on his back, throw his head back, raise his legs up.

In this case, the bleeding from the nose continues, blood and its clots enter the throat, the lying person swallows it. Raised legs and thrown back head lead to increased blood flow and increased bleeding.

Anatomy – human organs: 4D encyclopedia: – M., 2018.

First aid in such a situation consists of the following algorithm of actions:

  1. Calm the child.When you panic, your heart beats faster, which makes bleeding worse.
  2. Place the victim’s body in an upright position and tilt the head forward.
  3. Loosen your clothes, unbutton your jacket or shirt, remove your outer clothing.
  4. Organize the air flow – open the window.
  5. Perform breathing exercises: inhale evenly with the child and exhale slowly through the mouth.
  6. Place a cold compress on the bridge of your nose (a towel soaked in cold water, gel ice accumulators, any food from the freezer wrapped in a cloth will do).
  7. Conduct a shallow tampon (make two turundas out of cotton wool, soak them in hydrogen peroxide and insert into two nostrils of the child). Padding time – up to 30 minutes. Before removing tampons from the nasal passages, moisten them with water.

When the blood stops flowing, arrange for the victim to rest, give any drink except coffee, tea or cocoa. Limit the child’s activity for a while, do not allow him to blow his nose. If bleeding is caused by a runny nose, drying out of the mucous membrane, then moisten the nasal mucosa, if necessary, drip vasoconstrictor drugs.

Human body. Encyclopedia for Children: – M .: DeAgostini, 2016.

Normal bleeding does not last more than 15–20 minutes. If after this time the blood has not stopped, then medical attention is needed.

Observe the consistency and color of the blood discharge:

  1. If the blood is red and thin, flows out of one nostril, the amount of discharge decreases over time – there is no reason for panic.
  2. If there is thick, dark blood, it foams or, conversely, flows in a stream – call an ambulance.

In any case, if a child has a nosebleed, do not waste time waiting for doctors, provide first aid.

Not all bleeding is a manifestation of pathologies. Often these are symptomatic reactions to various external stimuli, drugs, age-related changes in a growing body. Sometimes nosebleeds are the consequences of infectious diseases. If such manifestations become frequent, long-term, then it is necessary to examine the child.

Read also: Thick blood: reasons and what to do

Attention! The material is for informational purposes only. You should not resort to the treatments described in it without first consulting your doctor.

Sources:

  1. Pukhlik S. Nasal breathing disorders in children and modern methods of its correction // Pediatrics. Child health. – 2012. – No. 3 (38). – S. 67–70.
  2. Cartwright Samuel.Managing nosebleeds // Access Mode:
  3. What treatments are effective for common cold in adults and children? // Access mode:

Author: Candidate of Medical Sciences Anna Ivanovna Tikhomirova

Reviewer: Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor Ivan Georgievich Maksakov

Original article: https://www.nur.kz/health/medical-conditions/1777352-krov-iz-nosa-u-rebenka-priciny/

90,000 Nosebleeds.Patient Information

Nosebleeds – damage to the blood vessels of the nose. In response to bleeding, a blood clot (thrombus) forms, which stops the bleeding

Bleeds from the nose are very common, but extremely rarely dangerous. The blood clot that forms can vary in size depending on the amount of blood.

When blown out, the clot may come out, but it may remain in the nasal cavity.If necessary, it can be removed by gently blowing your nose after the bleeding stops.

Causes of nosebleeds

Injury

Physical injury, such as a blow to the face, is one of the most common causes of nosebleeds.

Various types of trauma can cause nosebleeds, including:

  • nose picking
  • impact with an object on the nose
  • punch in the face
  • Misuse of nasal sprays
  • insufflation, such as sniffing substances or drugs

Injury to the nose can rupture the small blood vessels that line the inside of the nose.

The most common type of nosebleeds from trauma is bleeding from the anterior portions of the nose, for example, when an injury ruptures blood vessels in the lower portion of the nasal septum.

The nasal septum is a thin cartilaginous plate that separates the nostrils from each other.

In most cases, epistaxis does not require any special treatment. the bleeding stops on its own.

Alternatively, nosebleeds can be stopped by following these three steps:

  1. Gently blow your nose (if a child has nosebleeds, this step is optional)
  2. Lean forward with your chin to your chest. This will prevent blood from flowing down the throat.
  3. Gently squeeze the soft tissue on both sides of the nose with two fingers to prevent blood from flowing out.
  4. Remain in this position for about 10-15 minutes (for children – 5 minutes) and wait until the blood stops flowing.If the bleeding does not stop after this, continue to gently press on the nose from both sides for another 10-15 minutes.

Repeat until bleeding stops completely.

If a blood clot interferes with breathing through your nose, blow your nose gently. It is best to wait until the bleeding has completely stopped before blowing out the blood clot.

Rhinitis and sinusitis

Another common cause of nosebleeds is inflammation of the nasal cavity, surrounding tissues, and sinuses.For example, allergies can cause inflammation in the nasal passages, allergic rhinitis.

A similar condition is sinusitis, in which inflammation affects the paranasal sinuses. In both cases, inflammation can lead to nosebleeds.

These conditions can also cause nasal congestion. The congestion causes the blood vessels to dilate, which makes them more susceptible to injury and further increases the risk of nosebleeds.

The same applies to other conditions that cause nasal congestion, such as the common cold.

If one of these conditions is causing your nosebleeds, you can follow the three steps above to stop the bleeding.

Note, however, that nasal irritation or nasal congestion can cause discomfort when applying pressure to stop bleeding.

A large blood clot can make breathing difficult. You may want to focus on trying to breathe through your mouth. Too much pressure on the nose should be avoided.

Also, do not remove mucus from the nose by blowing the nose or picking. It is best to use a nasal spray to relieve congestion after nosebleeds.

The best treatment for these types of nosebleeds is to treat the underlying cause, such as allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Read more about sinusitis here

Dry air

At high altitudes, where the air is drier, nosebleeds are more common.

Very dry air can cause epistaxis by drying out and cracking the nasal mucosa. In turn, this leads to damage to the blood vessels in the nose and bleeding.

For example, nosebleeds can occur when you are in a dry, hot room. These types of nosebleeds are common during the winter months. Also, these nosebleeds are more likely to occur at high altitudes, where the air is drier.

Following the same three steps, nosebleeds can be stopped. This will allow the blood clot to form.

However, if environmental conditions do not change, epistaxis may recur. Using a humidifier will reduce dryness in the air and help prevent further nosebleeds.

At high altitudes, a mild moisturizer can be applied to relieve dryness.

Curvature of the nasal septum

A deviated nasal septum occurs when the septum is irregular in shape or position, from birth or as a result of an injury to the nose.

A deviated nasal septum can restrict airflow in one of the nostrils. As a result, the mucous membrane inside the nostril dries up and cracks, which increases the risk of damage to the blood vessels.

Another symptom of a curvature of the nasal septum is nasal congestion, as noted above, nasal congestion is an independent risk factor for nosebleeds.

Septal deviation nosebleeds can be stopped, but there is a high risk of recurrence.
Nasal congestion can be reduced by using nasal sprays and decongestants. However, the only radical solution is surgery to correct the nasal septum.

Certain types of medicines

Medicines that thin the blood, or anticoagulants, can increase the likelihood of nosebleeds, as can nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).


These drugs increase the risk of nosebleeds because they interfere with how blood clots form.For this reason, these types of nosebleeds can last longer because the blood clot is not able to form quickly.

If bleeding continues, medical attention may be needed. The health care provider may plug damaged blood vessels or use a drug to stop the bleeding.

When to see a doctor

If bleeding does not stop within 30 minutes, see a doctor

In most cases, nosebleeds are not serious and do not require medical attention.
However, if the bleeding does not stop after 30 minutes, see your doctor immediately. You should also see your doctor if your nosebleeds are accompanied by other symptoms, including:

  • very severe bleeding in which blood flows down the throat
  • severe weakness
  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations

And here’s the most important thing: nosebleeds are NOT a sign of high blood pressure.High blood pressure does not by itself cause nosebleeds. Accordingly, nosebleeds are not a reason to consult a cardiologist and / or to suspect you have high blood pressure. Read about arterial hypertension here

Nosebleeds occur when blood vessels in the nose burst and blood flows out of them.


Usually, the body forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding and repair the defect in the vessel wall. Trauma is a common cause of nosebleeds, but it can also occur in people with allergies or sinusitis.


Most nosebleeds are not dangerous, but it is important to see a doctor if the bleeding lasts more than 30 minutes or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as in the chest.

90,000 The teenager is bleeding from the nose, what reasons can be told by experts | Health

Bleeding from the nose is quite common, and among adolescents, a similar phenomenon is also often noted. What is the reason for frequent nosebleeds in adolescent children, is this a cause for concern, experts said.Many are frightened even by the sight of blood. However, proper first aid in such a situation is extremely important.

Causes of nosebleeds in adolescents

It is quite common for adolescents to have nosebleeds. The reasons for this phenomenon can be very different. However, one of the most important reasons is puberty and hormonal imbalance. Since boys and girls grow rapidly during puberty, the blood vessels do not have time to become larger, and therefore burst.

When the menstrual cycle begins to form in girls, the hemodynamics of the whole body increases. The vessels dilate, the pressure rises, the nasal mucosa swells. Further, even slight exertion can cause nosebleeds. Hormonal changes also cause nosebleeds in boys.

Other causes of nosebleeds in adolescents include: allergies, viral infections, head or nose injuries, various formations in the nose (polyps, adenoids, cysts, etc.)etc.), drops in blood pressure, pathology of the nasal septum, nervous strain, overheating in the sun and others.

A teenager has nosebleeds often, why

In general, nosebleeds in teenagers should not be a cause for concern. However, their frequent manifestation may indicate the development of serious diseases, and this is already a reason to consult a doctor.

Among the most common diseases in which nosebleeds are the following: coagulopathy, leukemia, hemophilia, VSD, heart or renal failure.

Bleeds from the nose have their own types of pathologies. Sometimes, a few drops of blood may appear, and in some cases there is profuse bleeding. In such cases, the teenager becomes pale, weak and lethargic, he has a decreased heart rate. In addition, it is important to determine the location of the pathology.

If bleeding occurs in the front of the nose, it usually ends quickly. If the blood vessel of the posterior or upper part of the nose bursts, the situation worsens.This bleeding is more difficult to stop and has more serious consequences.

If bleeding from the nose is observed quite often, and at the same time they are profuse, then this indicates the development of a serious disease. Therefore, it is worth contacting a doctor to get help from specialists. In addition, blood loss can lead to anemia.

First aid for adolescents with nosebleeds

If nosebleeds occur, the patient needs to be at rest.He is seated in a half-sitting position and his head is slightly thrown back. It is not recommended to tilt your head too much, since blood can flow into the nasopharynx and swallow it. If you tilt your head forward, the bleeding may increase.

In cases where the patient is unconscious, his head must be turned on its side and immediately sent to a medical facility. The patient should not blow his nose, as this leads to continued bleeding, instead of blocking the vessel.On the bridge of the nose, you must put a napkin or a bubble of cold water.

If the blood from the nose is not abundant, then it can be stopped by pressing the wings of the nose against the middle septum for a while. In cases where the bleeding is profuse and does not stop, then a cotton wool turunda should be introduced into the nasal passage, having previously moistened it in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, and the patient should be sent to the hospital.