At some point in life, 6 out of 10 people will have had a nosebleed (epistaxis). However, only a small amount of people will have had to seek medical treatment, as in most cases, the nosebleed will settle on its own without causing any harm.
A nosebleed can be caused by trauma such as falls especially in children and picking or blowing the nose too hard. A nosebleed that may require medical treatment will usually come from bleeding in the deeper part of the nose and usually affects adults with high blood pressure or people taking certain medications etc.
If you develop a severe nosebleed and you feel very unwell, it is advisable to attend your local emergency service or call the emergency line for an ambulance service. In some cases, you may be able to control the bleeding by following these steps:
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- Sit forward and keep the mouth open to enable the spitting out of the blood.
- Avoid lying down unless you feel faint.
- Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly and hold it for 10–15 minutes, whilst breathing through your mouth.
Consult with your doctor to discuss the best way to prevent a recurrence. Your doctor may advise you to avoid the following activities which may increase the risk of recurrence:
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- Blowing or picking the nose.
- Heavy lifting.
- Strenuous exercise.
- Lying flat.
- Drinking alcoholic or hot drinks.
You can book an online doctor appointment with our Consultdoc GPs for further advice.