The exit of blood through the nose, called epistaxis, may be due to a simple irritation of the nasal mucosa or one cold, but may be a symptom of more serious problems such as very high pressure or disorders of blood clotting.
The nosebleeds sporadic and occasional are quite common and rarely pose a more serious threat to health.
It is during the Winter that the nose can bleed more easily, due to environmental factors that favor bleeding. The mucosa tends to dry out with cold air entering the nose and forming crusts, which can bleed when they are irritated or removed.
Some causes of nasal bleeding:
- Low air humidity, nasal trauma caused by objects introduced into the nose, allergies or colds;
- Blow the nose very hard, "poking" the nose, very cold or dry air;
- Repeatedly sneezing, inhaling irritants, or near or near the nose;
- Anatomical deformities, inflammations derived from respiratory tract infections, such as sinusitis and rhinitis, foreign bodies;
- Intranasal tumors, use of nasal medications or other drugs that act on blood clotting, such as aspirin and warfarin;
- Trauma, blood clotting disorders, heart problems;
- Leukemia, high blood pressure, infectious diseases;
- Anemia, drug use, vascular diseases.
What to do in case of nasal bleeding?
- Sit down and lean forward, trying to lean your chin against your chest to avoid swallowing the blood;
- Pinch the nose for 5 (children) for 15 minutes by pinching the thumb and forefinger, closing the nostrils;
- Breathe through the mouth;
- After this time, you can decompress the nose slowly;
- If the bleeding continues, repeat the procedure for 10 minutes or more.
In addition, apply ice or cold compresses on the back of the nose for 10 minutes. Most nasal bleeding stops with these procedures.
Much of the nose bleeds originate from the front of the nasal septum and can be easily contained. Already the bleeding that occurs in the upper portion of the septum may be more difficult to control.
If your nose bleeds frequently, it is advisable to seek the general practitioner, family physician or ENT doctor to find out the cause of the bleeding and start treatment.
