Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, occur when a blood vessel inside the nose bursts. The inside of the nose is full of tiny, delicate blood vessels that can become damaged and bleed relatively easily. The most common cause of nosebleeds is dry air, which can dry out the nasal membrane and make it more likely to bleed when rubbed or picked or when blowing the nose. Other causes of nosebleeds include:

• Nose picking or scratching the inside of the nose
• Rubbing the nose often
• Getting hit in the nose or putting an object inside it
• Blowing too hard
• Colds or allergies
• Abnormal tissue (skin) growth inside, such as polyps

Occasionally, bleeding can come from the blood vessels deeper within the nose, which can be caused by a blow to the head, recent nasal surgery, and hardened arteries (atherosclerosis) . Nosebleeds are fairly common and can happen to anyone, but they most often affect children and older adults.

To stop a nosebleed, the person should sit up and lean their head forward slightly, pinch the nostrils tightly closed at the soft part of the nose just below the nasal bone, breathe through the mouth, and hold the nostrils closed for 5 minutes. If the bleeding has not stopped after a full 5 minutes, hold the nostrils closed for 5 more minutes and seek medical attention if the bleeding is severe, frequent, or prolonged.

There are things that can be done to prevent nosebleeds, such as using a humidifier or applying over-the-counter saline nose drops in each nostril a few times a day. If nosebleeds are frequent and cannot be prevented, it is recommended to talk to a healthcare provider for further evaluation.