Ear, Nose & Throat Treatment Nosebleed: Types, Causes, and Treatment Some people are more likely to have nosebleeds By Jerry Kennard Jerry Kennard Jerry Kennard, PhD, is a psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 22, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Facebook LinkedIn Benjamin F. Asher, MD, FACS, is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. For 30 years, he has worked at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Anterior Causes Anterior Treatment When It's An Emergency Posterior Causes Posterior Treatments Other Causes Frequently Asked Questions Nosebleeds are common occurrences, affecting one out of every seven people at some point in their life, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. They are typically caused by the rupture of small, fragile blood vessels, either at the front (anterior) or back (posterior) part of the nose. spukkato / Getty Images Causes of Anterior Nosebleeds Most nosebleeds occur within the lower end of the nose in the lower septum—the wall separating the two airways of the nose that ends in the nostrils. These blood vessels lie close to the surface, making them susceptible to injury. A clue that a nosebleed is anterior is that blood will flow out of one nostril when the affected person is sitting or standing. Anterior nosebleeds usually don't require medical attention unless the bleeding can't be stopped or it happens in a very young child. The most common causes of anterior nosebleeds include: Trauma Nose picking Dryness inside of the nose High altitudes Colds Allergies Certain medications Smoking can dry out the nose, so quitting can be a part of treating recurrent nosebleeds (among many other health benefits.) Treatment of Anterior Nosebleeds Here are some tips for treating anterior nosebleeds: Try to remain calm and not panic.Sit up straight.You can spray a decongestant in the nose — one that is or contains oxymetazoline (Zicam, Afrin).Pinch the nostrils together using your thumb and index finger firmly for five minutes. Repeat for 10 more minutes if bleeding is still occurring.You can place a cold compress or an ice pack across the bridge of your nose. When Urgent Medical Attention Is Required Anterior nosebleeds don't typically require emergency medical treatment. You should get immediate attention if: The blood loss is heavy You get nosebleeds often The injury/trauma is severe It's the result of a head injury It's in a baby, child, elderly person, or sick person It's doesn't stop after 10 to 20 minutes of direct pressure You feel like it's cause for concern Causes of Posterior Nosebleeds Posterior nosebleeds can be very serious and do require urgent medical attention. Upper posterior septum nosebleeds are rare. When they do occur, bleeding begins high within the nose and blood flows down the back of the mouth and throat even when the person is sitting up or standing. Posterior septum nosebleeds have a variety of causes. They're more common in: People with high blood pressurePeople with nose injuriesOlder people Treatment of Posterior Nosebleeds Treatment is initially the same as for anterior nosebleeds. Additionally, your healthcare provider may pack the nose with gauze (do not try packing yourself) or an inflatable latex balloon if the bleeding does not stop. They may also cauterize the bleeding blood vessel. This involves an electrical or heated device to burn the ruptured blood vessel to stop the bleeding. The healthcare provider uses a local anesthetic before he or she begins this procedure. Other Causes Besides nose picking, dryness, trauma, and forceful nose blowing, there are other less common causes of nosebleeds (some of which can predispose a person to frequent nosebleeds) like: Certain blood-thinning medications (for example, aspirin)Certain drugs (for example, cocaine)Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome — a hereditary disease where a growth like a birthmark is located in the noseTumors in the nose (both cancerous and noncancerous)A disease of the arteries such as atherosclerosisBleeding disorders or medical conditions that may cause low platelets, which help the blood clot (for example, leukemia)Nasal tumors, cancerous and noncancerous Sometimes too, minor nosebleeds just happen, and you never know the reason. Frequently Asked Questions Can dehydration cause nosebleeds? Yes, dehydration is a common cause of nosebleeds. Staying hydrated and keeping the inside of your nose moist can help prevent them. Can nosebleeds be caused by stress? It's not certain but some research has looked into a connection between stress and nosebleeds. A connection between nosebleeds and high blood pressure, which can be stress-related, has also be proposed. What should I do after a nosebleed stops? After the bleeding stops, don't rub or blow it for a couple of days, and avoid strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects. Don't take hot baths or showers or drink hot beverages. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. ENT Health. Nosebleeds. Cleveland Clinic. Nosebleeds (Epistaxis). Andreeff R. Epistaxis. J Am Acad Physicians Assist. 2016;29(1):46-47. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000473373.47749.5f Kikidis D, Tsioufis K, Papanikolaou V, Zerva K, Hantzakos A. Is epistaxis associated with arterial hypertension? A systematic review of the literature. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2014;271(2):237-243. doi:10.1007/s00405-013-2450-z University of Michigan Health System. Do's and don'ts for managing nosebleeds. Nemours TeensHealth. Nosebleeds. National Health Service, Oxford University Hospitals. Nosebleeds: Information for patients.