Bleeding from Tissues in Nose
A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel. A nosebleed can look scary, but is usually not a serious problem. Nosebleeds are common in children. They happen more often in dry climates. They also happen more during the winter. That’s when dry heat in homes and buildings can cause drying, cracking, and crusting inside the nose. Many children outgrow nosebleeds during their teen years.
Hear from Aaron Lanning, NP, with Lakeland Ear, Nose and Throat as he shares how allergies, dryer air, and close-quarter colds can affect inflammation in the nose, and cause blood vessels to rupture easier.
Types of Nosebleeds
- Anterior nosebleeds come from the front of the nose and begin with a flow of blood out one nostril when you are sitting or standing.
- Posterior nosebleeds begin high and deep within the nose and flow down the back of the mouth and throat even if you are sitting or standing.
Causes of Nosebleeds
- Allergies, infections or dryness that cause itching and lead to picking of the nose
- Vigorous nose blowing that ruptures superficial blood vessels in the elderly and in the young
- Clotting disorders that run in families or are due to medications
- Fractures of the nose or of the base of the skull that can cause bleeding and should be regarded seriously when the bleeding follows a head injury
- Rarely, tumors (both malignant and non-malignant), particularly in the older patient or in smokers
- Hypertension
When to see an ENT Specialist
Call the healthcare provider if:
- You can’t stop the nosebleed
- The nose bleeds again
- Your child has an injury to the head or face
- There is a large amount of blood
- Your child feels faint, weak, ill, or has trouble breathing
- Your child has bleeding from other parts of the body, such as in the stool, urine, or gums, or bruises easily
- An object is stuck in your child's nose