Between 50 to 60 percent of the population can have at least a nasal bleeding during their life, however, it is more frequent in older children and adults. Depending on the reason that originates it, it can be a unique case or be recurring, explains César Bravo Navarro, otolaryngologist and surgeon of the Salucentro otolaryngology unit.
Its causes may be related to a minimum inflammatory problem to a nasal tumor. However, these are the most recurring diseases that produce nasal bleeding:
Coagulation or hemorrhagic disorders
A person with this condition has difficulties for your body to carry out the coagulation process correctly. This can cause intense injuries and bleeding that are difficult to stop or control. These disorders can be caused by hereditary factors, lack of vitamins or liver diseases.
Sinusitis or common infections
Sinusitis is an infection and inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers the nose. It can cause nose discomfort and even breathing, in addition to nasal bleeding. Other common infections such as flu or cold can also cause bleeding.
Nasal septum deviation
From nasal lesions to irregularities in the formation of the nose can be the causes of the depth of the septum. It occurs when the partition moves to the side. As a consequence, one of the nostrils is smaller than the other. This can cause different discomforts in the person such as face pain, obstruction in nostrils and hemorrhages since the partition can dry and cause bleeding.
Allergic rhinitis
It occurs when the nasal mucosa is inflamed and causes various discomforts such as nasal secretion, constant sneezing, mucus, crying eyes, nasal itching and redness. Since every allergy causes irritation, it is common for nasal bleeding to appear in the rinitis, since when the nose rubbed, some lesions in the nasal area can be caused. However, these are easy to control.
Other diseases or causes can be the tumors developed in nostrils, these can be malignant or benign. They can also produce bleeding by blows in the nose or face area.
Recommendations to control nasal bleeding
When having a bleeding, Bravo recommends, the first step and the most important is to avoid considerable blood losses. The specialist’s suggestion is to apply pressure on the nostrils. If possible to place cottons inside the nostrils and simultaneously apply pressure until the bleeding stops.
Usually, bleeding is easy to control and can be done without professional help. The majority of people, the specialist points out, do not go to a medical appointment to bleeding but there are cases in which it is advisable to consult an expert.
An episode of nasal hemorrhage becomes a medical emergency situation when bleeding is a large amount and does not cease with local pressure measures. Given such a situation, it is necessary to consult as soon as possible an emergency clinic or service since blood loss can be fatal to a person.
How to avoid nasal bleeding?
If a person has constant nasal discomfort, an evaluation must be carried out to early detect some injury or condition that may cause bleeding. According to the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), nasal hemorrhages can be avoided with the following recommendations:
Drink liquids frequently, get away from cigarette smoke or any kind, sleep in a fresh and ventilated room and use scarves to cover the nose during the cold season.
It is also important to avoid habits such as getting your fingers in your nose, playing your nose too strongly or immediately after taking a shower since this can damage the nostrils and cause a breakdown of the blood vessels. Another recommendation is not to remain inclined for a long time, since in that position a lot of pressure is added to the nose.