Why does nose bleed

Rarely, a bleeding disorder or abnormally formed blood vessels could be a possibility. Cocaine or other drugs that are snorted through the nose can also cause nosebleeds. If you suspect a friend is using cocaine, try talking about it and get help from a trusted adult. An occasional nosebleed may make you worry, but there's no need to panic — now you know what to do! Reviewed by: Michelle P. Tellado, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. How Can I Stop a Nosebleed? Try these simple tips to stop a nosebleed: Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.

Sit up or stand. Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 minutes of steady pressure. Don't stop applying pressure to keep checking if the bleeding has stopped. Now that your nosebleed is over, let's take a look at what a nosebleed is and what can cause it. Different Kinds of Nosebleeds The most common kind of nosebleed is an anterior nosebleed , which comes from the front of the nose.

What Causes Nosebleeds? Can I Prevent Nosebleeds? When you blow your nose especially when you have a cold , do so gently into a soft tissue.

They may be scary, but they rarely indicate a serious medical problem. The nose contains many blood vessels, which are located close to the surface in the front and back of the nose. Nosebleeds are common in adults and children between the ages of 3 and There are two kinds of nosebleeds.

An anterior nosebleed occurs when the blood vessels in the front of the nose break and bleed. A posterior nosebleed occurs in the back or the deepest part of the nose. In this case, blood flows down the back of the throat. Posterior nosebleeds can be dangerous. There are many causes of nosebleeds. A sudden or infrequent nosebleed is rarely serious.

If you have frequent nosebleeds, you could have a more serious problem. Dry air is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Living in a dry climate and using a central heating system can dry out the nasal membranes , which are tissues inside the nose. This dryness causes crusting inside the nose. Crusting may itch or become irritated. If your nose is scratched or picked, it can bleed.

Taking antihistamines and decongestants for allergies , colds , or sinus problems can also dry out the nasal membranes and cause nosebleeds. Frequent nose blowing is another cause of nosebleeds. However, you should seek medical attention if your nosebleed lasts longer than 20 minutes, or if it occurs after an injury. This may be a sign of a posterior nosebleed, which is more serious.

Injuries that might cause a nosebleed include a fall, a car accident, or a punch in the face. Nosebleeds that occur after an injury may indicate a broken nose , skull fracture , or internal bleeding.

If you seek medical attention for a nosebleed, your doctor will conduct a physical examination to determine a cause. However, your doctor might use diagnostic tests to find the cause. These tests include:. Treatment for nosebleeds will vary depending on the type and cause of the nosebleed. Read on to find out about treatments for different nosebleeds. If you have an anterior nosebleed, you bleed from the front of your nose, usually a nostril.

This can be caused by:. Nosebleeds that need medical attention can come from deeper inside the nose and usually affect adults. They can be caused by:. Holding an icepack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel on the top of the nose may help reduce the blood flow. But the evidence to show it works is not very strong.