How Does a Bloody Nose Start?

Immediate Causes of Nosebleed

A nosebleed is nearly always an illustration of the old maxim: It looks worse than it is. Nosebleeds stem from injury to one of the many very small blood vessels inside the nose. Many factors can contribute to nosebleed, and some can produce a long-term susceptibility. Among immediate causes are: injuries bruising or breaking your nose, hard blowing or picking your nose, or violent sneezing. In each case, tissue thinly covering blood vessels can be damaged enough to permit bleeding. Extremely dry hot or cold air can aggravate nasal tissues, as can drastic changes in altitude (a person traveling from sea level to mountain areas may experience nosebleed). Allergy attacks or the nasal congestion of a cold can also contribute to short-term susceptibility.

Atmospheric or medical conditions can make the nose more prone to bleeding. Chronic exposure to allergens such as pollen, air conditions described above and chronic exposure to chemical or other work-related irritants can make you more prone to nosebleed. Unstable or untreated high blood-pressure can be a bigger concern should nosebleeds occur. Medications that thin the blood, such as aspirin or prescription anti-clotting drugs, can also increase susceptibility.

Although each generation seems to have a favorite way of handling nosebleed, current treatment suggests that simple is best. For ordinary nosebleed, pinch the nostrils together with a little pressure for 10 minutes. Tip the head slightly downward to prevent swallowing blood. Cool compresses or a coldpack wrapped in a towel may be placed on the nose or forehead but are not essential. All treatment should be external; packing the nose with tissue or cotton merely risks further injury to delicate tissue.

If the nose does not stop bleeding in 10 minutes, recurs as soon as you remove pressure or increases in blood flow, seek professional help. While this seems like second nature in case of an accident, it may not occur automatically in other situations. The person you are helping may or may not be aware of a medical condition that makes nosebleed worse. Bleeding may involve injury to more than a small nasal blood vessel.

In all situations of nosebleed, staying calm and taking simple steps to stem the flow are likely to be completely effective treatment for an upsetting but usually minor bleeding episode.