Nose
Nosebleeds
A nosebleed is bleeding from inside the nose, usually from small, delicate blood vessels near the front of the nostril.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of nosebleeds and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is nosebleeds?
Nosebleeds happen when the tiny blood vessels lining the inside of the nose break and bleed. They are very common and usually come from the soft area just inside the front of the nostril, which is why most can be stopped with simple pressure.
- Get urgent help: A nosebleed that does not stop after firm, continuous pressure for a sustained time — seek urgent help. Very heavy bleeding, or feeling faint or short of breath — seek urgent help.
- Self-care: To stop a nosebleed, sit upright and lean forward slightly so blood drains out of the front of the nose rather than down your throat, then pinch the soft part of your nose firmly and hold it without letting go for a sustained period.
About nosebleeds
Nosebleeds happen when the tiny blood vessels lining the inside of the nose break and bleed. They are very common and usually come from the soft area just inside the front of the nostril, which is why most can be stopped with simple pressure. Dry air, colds, allergies, picking or blowing the nose hard, and minor knocks are typical triggers. Most nosebleeds look more dramatic than they are and settle quickly on their own. Occasionally bleeding comes from further back in the nose, which can be heavier and harder to control, or it points to a problem with blood pressure or clotting that is worth checking.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if nosebleeds comes with any of these warning signs:
- A nosebleed that does not stop after firm, continuous pressure for a sustained time — seek urgent help.
- Very heavy bleeding, or feeling faint or short of breath — seek urgent help.
- Frequent nosebleeds in someone on blood-thinning medicine or with easy bruising or bleeding elsewhere — this can point to a clotting problem and needs assessment.
- A nosebleed after a serious head or facial injury — get urgent assessment.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you are getting nosebleeds often, if each one takes a long time to stop, or if they are interfering with daily life. It is also worth being checked if nosebleeds come alongside easy bruising, bleeding gums or unusually heavy periods, or if you take blood-thinning medicine. Children with repeated nosebleeds and adults whose bleeds keep returning can often be helped with simple treatments to seal the fragile vessels.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of nosebleeds
Nosebleeds has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
To stop a nosebleed, sit upright and lean forward slightly so blood drains out of the front of the nose rather than down your throat, then pinch the soft part of your nose firmly and hold it without letting go for a sustained period. Breathe through your mouth and avoid checking too soon, as releasing early restarts the bleeding. A cold pack on the bridge of the nose can help. Once it stops, try not to pick, blow or rub your nose, bend down or do anything strenuous for the rest of the day. To prevent future bleeds, keep the lining of the nose moist, avoid picking, and treat dryness or allergy that makes the nose fragile.
Answers
Nosebleeds: frequently asked questions
Should I tip my head back during a nosebleed?
No. Leaning back lets blood run down your throat, which can make you feel sick and means you cannot see whether the bleeding has stopped. Lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose instead.
Why do I get nosebleeds in winter?
Cold, dry air and indoor heating dry out the lining of the nose, making the small blood vessels more likely to crack and bleed. Keeping the air moist and the nose lining from drying out helps.
Are frequent nosebleeds dangerous?
Most are harmless, but frequent or hard-to-stop nosebleeds are worth checking, especially if you bruise easily, take blood thinners, or bleed from other places, as these can point to a clotting problem.
Can high blood pressure cause nosebleeds?
Raised blood pressure does not usually start a nosebleed on its own, but it can make a bleed heavier or harder to stop. If you have repeated heavy nosebleeds, it is sensible to have your blood pressure checked.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Epistaxis (nosebleeds).
- British Heart Foundation
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