Overview
Educational academic overview: most epistaxis is anterior and arises from the nasal septal mucosa, where the blood supply is superficial; dry air and local trauma are frequent contributors. Study material only.
Symptoms
- bleeding from one or both nostrils
- blood trickling into the throat
- a feeling of blockage in the nose
Causes
- dry air or a dry nasal lining
- nose picking or minor injury to the nose
- colds and allergies that irritate the lining
- some medicines and bleeding conditions, which a clinician assesses
Risk factors
- dry or dusty environments
- frequent nasal irritation
- conditions or medicines that affect clotting, as assessed by a clinician
Prevention
- keeping the nasal lining moist in dry conditions
- avoiding nose picking
- treating allergy symptoms as advised by a clinician
Emergency warning signs
- bleeding that will not stop or is very heavy
- feeling faint, dizzy, or short of breath
- a nosebleed after a serious head or face injury
- bleeding with a known clotting disorder or blood-thinning medicine
Evaluation & tests
Educational note: clinicians examine the nose and, for repeated or heavy bleeding, may arrange tests to look for an underlying cause. This library does not diagnose.
Treatment education
Educational overview: care depends on the cause and severity and is decided by clinicians. This library does not prescribe.
Self-care
General education: widely taught first aid is to sit up, lean slightly forward, and pinch the soft part of the nose for around 10–15 minutes without releasing early. Leaning back can send blood down the throat. Follow the advice of your own clinician.
When to seek care
Seek care for bleeding that does not stop after about 15–20 minutes of pinching, for repeated nosebleeds, or for bleeding after a significant injury.