Nosebleeds Epistaxis Treatment Specialist Q&A

Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, is a common occurrence that can happen for any number of reasons. They will typically start without warning and can vary in severity from a slow trickle to a full-out gush. The inside of the nose has a lot of tiny blood vessels right under the surface of the skin that can be easily irritated. Nosebleeds can occur for two of the most common reasons – nose picking and dry air, making them susceptible to bleeding.

There are also many other common reasons for nosebleeds such as allergies, sinus infection, aspirin use, chemical irritants, common cold, deviated septum, nasal sprays, trauma, foreign object in the nose, and others. In the majority of cases, nosebleeds aren’t serious and don’t require medical intervention as they will resolve themselves quickly. Nosebleeds can affect anyone, at any given time, although some people may be more likely to get them or get them on a somewhat frequent basis.

Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, don’t have a variety of symptoms. Instead, they are pretty much limited to one symptom, which is the nose actually bleeding. Based on the severity of the nosebleed though, each nosebleed will be different. The variables that determine the severity of a nosebleed include the rate at which the blood flows the amount of blood that is lost, as well as the duration of the nosebleed. Nosebleeds usually start suddenly, with no prior warning, and catch people off guard. There may be early signs of a nosebleed potentially occurring, such as finding blood in tissue after blowing your nose or seeing blood on your finger when rubbing at the nostril or picking your nose.

Nosebleeds will typically stop on their own without medical intervention, although there may be times medical care is needed. The individual should get checked by a doctor in the case of a nosebleed following an injury, a large amount of blood seems to be lost, it is lasting longer than 30 minutes, or it is interfering with the ability to breathe. Medical attention should also be sought out for children under the age of 2 who get a nosebleed.

Most people don’t think of there being different types of nosebleeds, as the condition seems fairly straightforward. However, there are actually two different types of nosebleeds that people can experience, depending on where the nosebleed is originating from. Anterior nosebleeds are the most common type of nosebleed, especially in children, and can typically be treated at home.

The anterior nosebleed happens in the front part of the nose, on the lower portion of the septum, or the wall that separates the nostrils. In this area of the nose, the small blood vessels and capillaries are fragile and more inclined to break open, causing a nosebleed. The other type of nosebleed is the posterior nosebleed, which happens deep with the nose. This type of nosebleed can be more serious as it originates from the large blood vessels located deep in the back of the nose, near the throat. This is more common in adults and can result in heavy bleeding, with a high chance of the blood flowing into the throat. Immediate medical attention is often required for posterior nosebleeds.

In the majority of cases, epistaxis, or nosebleeds, are not considered to be serious. They will typically resolve themselves in a reasonable amount of time and can be managed through at-home treatments. At-home treatment for nosebleeds is very simple: ensure you sit up straight, leaning your head and body slightly forward while using a cloth or tissue to catch the blood until it stops.

You can also pinch the soft part of the nostrils for at least 5 minutes to help stop the flow of blood. Breath through the mouth so as to keep the nostrils free of additional air passing through. If the nosebleed doesn’t stop within 30 minutes, if you experience frequent nosebleeds, or if the nosebleed starts from the back of the nose, you should seek medical attention. With several locations across Portland OR, Columbia Clinic Urgent Care can provide immediate medical attention to individuals suffering from a severe nosebleed. We serve patients from Portland OR, PDX, Tigard OR, Milwaukie OR, Cedar Hills OR, Cedar Mill OR, Lake Oswego OR, Oak Grove OR, Vancouver WA, Aloha OR, Minnehaha WA, Gladstone OR, Tualatin OR, West Linn OR, Fairview OR, Oregon City OR.