Nosebleed and Its Causes and Measures

Bleeding from the nose may occur for various reasons, including injury nose-picking, forceful nose-blowing, a foreign body and as a symptom of some illnesses. Nosebleeds occur most commonly in children and in people over 50.

Bleeding from the nose, usually from one nostril only, is most common in children, but the bleeding usually stops by itself and is minor. It comes from a patch of blood vessels just inside the nostril and just under the nasal lining. Nosebleeds are also common, and sometimes very serious, in people over age 50, when bleeding may come from the back of the nose and be hard to stop, especially when accompanied by high blood pressure.

Causes of Nosebleed

Nosebleeds may occur from injury to the nose or from nose-picking or forceful nose-blowing. In children, nosebleeds often occur as a result of rough play. A foreign body in the nose or an infection in the upper respiratory tract may also result in a nosebleed. In a few cases, the infection spreads and may cause redness and swelling of the skin around an eye.

Self-Help

In many cases, sinusitis clears up without treatment.
■ Painkillers and a decongestant, both available over the counter, may alleviate symptoms.
■ Steam inhalation, which usually helps clear the nose, may also relieve symptoms.
■ If symptoms become worse or do not improve within three days, you should consult a doctor.

Measures for Nosebleed

Treatments and tests might include:

• antibiotics prescribed to clear up a secondary bacterial infection
• if sinusitis recurs or doesn’t clear up completely, X-rays to look for thickening
  of the lining of the sinuses and excess mucus
• endoscopy of the nose
• CT (computerised tomography) scanning to look for a specific cause, such as nasal polyps
• surgery may be necessary to enlarge drainage channels from the sinuses to the nose or create new ones.

Acute sinusitis usually clears up in a few weeks, but the symptoms of chronic sinusitis may last for a couple of months and need a prolonged course of antibiotics.