Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNosebleedPeople at Higher RiskSelf-TreatmentWhen to See a ProviderTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Nosebleed
People at Higher Risk
Self-Treatment
When to See a Provider
Treatment
Anosebleed, medically known asepistaxis, is a common problem that happens to most people at some point in their life. Experiencing a bloody nose can be inconvenient but is usually not something to worry about.
Nosebleeds can occur from injury, dry air, irritants, or other conditions. Treatment is often done at home. Remedies include applying ice or pressure to the area.
Some people may experience recurrent nosebleeds or bleeding from their nostrils that need more intense care. Although most nosebleeds do not require medical attention, 6% of people with a bloody noseneed to see a healthcare provider for treatment.
In this article, you will learn more about the types of nosebleeds, who is most likely to get them,how to treat nosebleeds, when to visit a healthcare provider, and specific questions to ask your provider when seeking advice or treatment.
Defining Nosebleed, or Burst Nose Blood Vessels
A nosebleed occurs when blood is lost from the tissue inside the nose. The nose has many small blood vessels that easily get irritated and burst, making nosebleeds common.
In some cases, bleeding comes from deeper inside the nostril—in the sinuses or at the base of the skull. This bleeding can be more difficult to control or stop and may require medical attention. Though seeking a healthcare provider may be necessary, nosebleeds are rarely life-threatening.
Nosebleed Types
The two types of nosebleeds are:
Anterior Nosebleeds
Just inside the opening of the nose is a group of blood vessels that are easily irritated.When these vessels become irritated, they can bleed.
Common causesof anterior nosebleeds are:
Posterior Nosebleeds
These nosebleeds occur when blood vessels deeper within the nose are affected.
The most common causes of posterior nosebleeds are:
Bleeding in One NostrilMost nosebleeds occur in one nostril, though bleeding can come from both nostrils. The most common cause of a nosebleed, especially in children, is from fingers picking or scratching the nose. Often, one side is more irritated than the other, hence bleeding in only one nostril. Other common causes, such as dry, cold air or irritants, typically affect only one side of the nose.
Bleeding in One Nostril
Most nosebleeds occur in one nostril, though bleeding can come from both nostrils. The most common cause of a nosebleed, especially in children, is from fingers picking or scratching the nose. Often, one side is more irritated than the other, hence bleeding in only one nostril. Other common causes, such as dry, cold air or irritants, typically affect only one side of the nose.
Why There’s Blood in Your Nose When It’s Not Bleeding
People More Likely to Get Nosebleeds
While anyone can experience a nosebleed, people under age 10 and over age 70 are more likely to experience them.
Other risk factors that contribute to the likelihood of experiencing a nosebleed include but aren’t limited to:
Self-Treating Nosebleeds
Most nosebleeds can betreated at home without medical assistance.
Lean forward and tilt your head down so that the blood does not run into your throat. Continue pressure on the area for 15 to 20 minutes or until the bleeding stops or lessens.
After the bleeding stops, try to avoid rubbing or blowing your nose to avoid reinjuring the area and allow it to heal.
In the case of a nosebleed from trauma, such as taking a soccer ball to the face, ice may also be added to slow bleeding and help ease the pain and swelling from the injury.
When Do Nosebleeds Warrant a Provider Visit?
Though most nosebleeds can be treated at home, it is best to seek medical attention in some instances, such as:
Discussing Nosebleed Treatment Options With a Provider
When you see a healthcare provider for a nosebleed, the treatment options vary depending on the nosebleed’s severity, type, and cause, as follows:
Questions to Ask Your ProviderWhen discussing treatment options, here are some questions to ask your provider:Which treatment is right for me?What side effects can I expect?How effective is the treatment?Will I need further treatment?How quickly does the treatment work?
Questions to Ask Your Provider
When discussing treatment options, here are some questions to ask your provider:Which treatment is right for me?What side effects can I expect?How effective is the treatment?Will I need further treatment?How quickly does the treatment work?
When discussing treatment options, here are some questions to ask your provider:
Summary
Epistaxis (nosebleed) is a common condition in which the blood vessels in the nose burst. While seeing blood coming from your nose can be alarming, there is often nothing to worry about. Bleeding can typically be managed at home. Most people can stop the bleeding within 20 minutes.
Common causes of nosebleeds include dry air, trauma, such as in sports or from picking the nose, and irritants like allergens. Children and people over 70 tend to experience nosebleeds more frequently.
People with high blood pressure or diabetes and those on anticoagulant medications are also at higher risk of experiencing a nosebleed.
Most nosebleeds can be treated at home with first aid measures, but some may require further treatment. Further treatment options include cauterization, medicated creams, and surgery. If you need further treatment, talk to your provider about your options to understand the risks and benefits before proceeding.
Scab in Nose: Causes and Treatment Options
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tunkel DE, Anne S, Payne SC, et al.Clinical practice guideline: nosebleed (epistaxis).Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;162(1_suppl):S1-S38. doi:10.1177/0194599819890327MedlinePlus.Nosebleed.Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A.Current approaches to epistaxis treatment in primary and secondary care.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(1-02):12-22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012Tabassom A, DAHLSTROM JJ.Epistaxis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; September 12, 2022.Smith J, Hanson J, Chowdhury R, Bungard TJ.Community-based management of epistaxis: who bloody knows?.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2019;152(3):164-176. doi:10.1177/1715163519840380Mylonas S, Skoulakis C, Nikolaidis V, Hajiioannou J.Epistaxis treatment options: literature review.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;75(3):2235-2244. doi:10.1007/s12070-023-03824-z
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tunkel DE, Anne S, Payne SC, et al.Clinical practice guideline: nosebleed (epistaxis).Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;162(1_suppl):S1-S38. doi:10.1177/0194599819890327MedlinePlus.Nosebleed.Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A.Current approaches to epistaxis treatment in primary and secondary care.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(1-02):12-22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012Tabassom A, DAHLSTROM JJ.Epistaxis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; September 12, 2022.Smith J, Hanson J, Chowdhury R, Bungard TJ.Community-based management of epistaxis: who bloody knows?.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2019;152(3):164-176. doi:10.1177/1715163519840380Mylonas S, Skoulakis C, Nikolaidis V, Hajiioannou J.Epistaxis treatment options: literature review.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;75(3):2235-2244. doi:10.1007/s12070-023-03824-z
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tunkel DE, Anne S, Payne SC, et al.Clinical practice guideline: nosebleed (epistaxis).Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;162(1_suppl):S1-S38. doi:10.1177/0194599819890327MedlinePlus.Nosebleed.Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A.Current approaches to epistaxis treatment in primary and secondary care.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(1-02):12-22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012Tabassom A, DAHLSTROM JJ.Epistaxis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; September 12, 2022.Smith J, Hanson J, Chowdhury R, Bungard TJ.Community-based management of epistaxis: who bloody knows?.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2019;152(3):164-176. doi:10.1177/1715163519840380Mylonas S, Skoulakis C, Nikolaidis V, Hajiioannou J.Epistaxis treatment options: literature review.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;75(3):2235-2244. doi:10.1007/s12070-023-03824-z
Tunkel DE, Anne S, Payne SC, et al.Clinical practice guideline: nosebleed (epistaxis).Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;162(1_suppl):S1-S38. doi:10.1177/0194599819890327
MedlinePlus.Nosebleed.
Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A.Current approaches to epistaxis treatment in primary and secondary care.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(1-02):12-22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012
Tabassom A, DAHLSTROM JJ.Epistaxis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; September 12, 2022.
Smith J, Hanson J, Chowdhury R, Bungard TJ.Community-based management of epistaxis: who bloody knows?.Can Pharm J (Ott). 2019;152(3):164-176. doi:10.1177/1715163519840380
Mylonas S, Skoulakis C, Nikolaidis V, Hajiioannou J.Epistaxis treatment options: literature review.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;75(3):2235-2244. doi:10.1007/s12070-023-03824-z
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
