When do nosebleeds become dangerous

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. 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. 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.

Accessed Aug. Nosebleed epistaxis. Mayo Clinic; Flint PW, et al. Elsevier; Elsevier Point of Care. Clinical overview: Epistaxis. Messner AH. Management of epistaxis in children. See also Medication-free hypertension control 7 signs to watch for if you have ITP Acute lymphocytic leukemia Acute myelogenous leukemia Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure? Aplastic anemia Aspergillosis Beta blockers Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain? Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?

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Gaucher disease Home blood pressure monitoring Granulomatosis with polyangiitis Hemolytic uremic syndrome HUS Hemophilia High blood pressure hypertension High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe? Most adults and children will have at least one nosebleed in their lives. In most cases, the bleeding will stop after a few minutes of self-care. Other times, though, nosebleeds have symptoms that may warrant a call or trip to a doctor. Understandably, a nosebleed in your child can invoke panic.

Keep in mind, though, that nosebleeds are common in children. They might bleed from one nostril or both nostrils. Immediate home care helps stop the bleeding. Both adults and children should also be examined by a doctor for repeated, frequent nosebleeds, even minor ones. This can indicate an ongoing problem within the nose, perhaps nasal growths or nasal polyps.

Several things can trigger minor bleeds. For example:. For more severe nosebleeds, or frequent nosebleeds, your doctor might recommend other treatments. This includes:. If you or your child has nosebleeds — perhaps due to sinusitis , allergies , or other known conditions — here are a few tips to decrease their frequency.