Five Common Causes of Nosebleeds
By Stephen Chandler, MD |10 September 2021|
Nosebleeds (epistaxis events) are quite common. Nearly 60% of people will experience a significant nosebleed at least once in their lifetime – that’s a lot of people! Though this symptom can be alarming for many, it is not typically a sign of anything serious. Here are 5 of the most common causes of nosebleeds.
Dryness
The foremost cause of nosebleeds is dryness of the nasal mucus membranes. Living in a dry climate can cause disruption of the nasal lining, exposing fragile underlying blood vessels. Supplemental nasal Oxygen delivery systems are a common cause of bleeding. You can fix this in your home by using a humidifier, an emollient nasal spray and properly adjusting nasal appliances.
Trauma
This one seems like a no brainer – stop digging for gold! The lining of your nose is very sensitive and is prone to bleeding if traumatized. Bleeding can be caused from either external or internal nasal trauma. In general it’s best to avoid picking your nose, breaking your nose, and allowing foreign bodies to enter the nose.
Nose Blowing
Believe it or not, forcefully blowing your nose is often a cause of self-induced nosebleeds. Whether suffering from allergies or other sources of nasal irritation, blowing your nose with excessive pressure can rupture mucosal blood vessels and lead to nosebleeds. Additionally, blowing your nose in a dry climate can cause epistaxis more easily because the nasal lining is already partially compromised.
Allergies and Medications
Exposure to nasal allergens is known to cause nasal irritation, congestion, post nasal drip and itching; and yes, believe it or not, allergy medications can cause nosebleeds as well. Antihistamines are known to cause generalized dryness, will dehydrate the mucous membranes of your nose which leads to cracking and bleeding. Common steroid nasal sprays, even if used properly, have a tendency to thin the nasal lining which is yet another cause of epistaxis. A host of systemic conditions including hypertension, diabetes and vascular disease requiring the use of anticoagulation medications are well known precedents for more serious epistaxis events.
Sinus Infections
Lastly, in addition to any number of unpleasant symptoms, sinus infections can create the perfect environment for nosebleeds. The irritation caused by invading bacteria or viruses can damage or destabilize the nasal lining, often resulting in bleeding events.
The Solution:
Complete Rinse sinus rinse can prevent dryness, the need for allergy medications, and the risk of sinus infections by moistening nasal passages and removing debris!
Dr. Stephen Chandler is a practicing Otolaryngologist in Montgomery, Alabama and Clinical Director of Sandler Scientific, LLC, manufacturer of CompleteRinse®. To schedule a visit with Dr. Chandler call 334-834-7221 Learn more at https://www.jacksonclinicent.org/. Complete Rinse is available on Amazon and at www.completerinse.com.