Definition
Nosebleeds, also called epistaxes (ep-ih-STAK-seez), involve bleeding from the inside of your nose. Many people have occasional nosebleeds, particularly younger children and older adults.
Although nosebleeds may be scary, they’re generally only a minor annoyance and aren’t dangerous. Frequent nosebleeds are those that occur more than once a week.
Causes
The lining of your nose contains many tiny blood vessels that lie close to the surface and are easily damaged.
The two most common causes of nosebleeds are:
- Dry air — when your nasal membranes dry out, they’re more susceptible to bleeding and infections
- Nose picking
Other causes of nosebleeds include:
- Acute sinusitis
- Allergies
- Aspirin use
- Hemophilia (and other bleeding disorders)
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants), such as warfarin and heparin
- Chemical irritants, such as ammonia
- Chronic sinusitis
- Cocaine use
- Common cold
- Deviated septum
- Foreign body in the nose
- Nasal sprays, such as those used to treat allergies, if used frequently
- Nonallergic rhinitis
- Trauma to the nose
Less common causes of nosebleeds include:
- Alcohol use
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Leukemia
- Nasal polyps
- Nasal surgery
- Nasal tumor
- Second trimester pregnancy
In general, nosebleeds are not a symptom or result of high blood pressure. It is possible, but rare, that severe high blood pressure may worsen or prolong bleeding if you have a nosebleed.
