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Nosebleed
Alternate Names : Bleeding from the Nose, Nose Bleed
Overview & Considerations
Nosebleeds are very common. The nose contains many tiny blood vessels that bleed easily. Air moving through the nose can dry and irritate the membranes lining the inside of the nose, forming crusts. These crusts bleed when irritated by rubbing, picking, or blowing the nose.
The lining of the nose is more likely to become dry and irritated from low humidity, allergies, colds, or sinusitis. Thus, nosebleeds occur more frequently in the winter when viruses are common and heated indoor air dries out the nostrils. A foreign object in the nose or direct impact to the nose can also cause a nosebleed.
If you have a deviated septum, you may be prone to frequent nosebleeds.
Most nosebleeds occur on the tip of the septum, the cartilage that separates the nasal chambers. The septum contains many fragile, easily damaged blood vessels. This form of nosebleed is usually easy to stop. Less commonly, nosebleeds may occur higher on the septum or deeper in the nose. These higher or deeper nosebleeds may be harder to control.
Occasionally, nosebleeds may indicate other disorders such as bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, or hardening of the arteries.
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (also called HHT or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) may be evidenced by nosebleeds. This is a disorder involving a blood vessel growth similar to a birthmark in the back of the nose.
Blood thinners such as Coumadin or aspirin may cause or worsen nosebleeds.
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• Overview & Considerations
• Common Causes
• Home Care & Treatment
• Prevention
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Atherosclerosis
• Bleeding Disorders
• Common Cold
• Ear Barotrauma
• Hypertension
• Hypovolemic Shock
• Sinusitis
Tests & Exams
• CBC
• Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
• Prothrombin Time (PT)
• Skull X-Ray
Other Topics
• Bleeding Into the Skin
• Bloody or Tarry Stools
• Broken Bone
• Chemical Burn or Reaction
• Head Injury
• Nose Fracture
• Sneezing
• Vomiting Blood
Review Date : 8/20/2003
Reviewed By : A.D.A.M. editorial. Previously reviewed by Ashutosh Kacker, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/21/2002).
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