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Nosebleeding For No Reason? Expert Lists Some Of The Possible Causes

Nosebleeds are among the things that most of us have experienced at some time. A nosebleed, also known as epistaxis, occurs when a blood vessel in the lining of your nose bursts, causing blood to flow from one or both nostrils. Although the sight can be frightening, there is not always a worrisome cause for concern. We spoke to our expert Dr Jahnvi Jayesh Bhate, Consultant, Department of ENT, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, who explained the possible causes of nose bleeding and how to manage it.

According to StatPearls, around 60% of individuals have encountered a nosebleed at some point in their lives, with only 10% being severe enough to require medical intervention. Nosebleeds are most prevalent in children aged 2 to 10 and the elderly aged 50 to 80.

Causes Of Nosebleeding

Dr Bhate listed the possible causes of nosebleeding as follows:

Picking Your Nose

It's a common reflex when our noses feel itchy or uncomfortable, but picking our noses can lead to nosebleeds. Dr Bhate said, "The delicate skin inside our noses can easily be injured, causing it to bleed, especially in small children. Instead, try gently blowing your nose to avoid aggravating it further, and cut your nails."

Allergies or Colds

You might have experienced a runny nose when dealing with cold or allergy symptoms. This irritation may cause the blood capillaries within our nasal cavities to burst, leading to nosebleeds. To prevent it, one should gently blow their nose with soft tissue paper and not apply excessive force while doing so. 

Also Read: Decoding Nosebleeding: Doctor Explains Health Impactions And Its Prevention

Injuries

Dr Bhate said, "Just like any other part of our body, our noses can bleed if they're injured. Accidents happen, especially during playtime or physical activities, and a bump to the nose can result in bleeding." It's essential to be cautious and try to avoid such incidents. If an injury does occur, local compression of the nose and applying ice can help reduce swelling, and one must try to reach a nearby hospital for first aid.

Dry Air

"Within our noses, there are small blood vessels that can become dry and fragile when exposed to dry air. This can occur during periods of low humidity, causing the vessels to break and trigger a nosebleed", said Dr Bhate. Maintaining hydration by drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier in your living space can help prevent this. Make sure the humidifier of your air conditioner is working well.

High Blood Pressure

Elderly individuals with high blood pressure may be more prone to nosebleeds. Elevated blood pressure can put a strain on the blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of a rupture. Managing blood pressure through medication, diet, and exercise is crucial for overall health.

Also Read: Nosebleeding: Why It Happens & Increases in Summer

Nasal Infections

Infections, such as sinusitis or nasal polyps can inflame the nasal lining, leading to nosebleeds. The swelling and irritation caused by these infections can weaken blood vessels, making them more susceptible to bleeding. If you experience persistent nasal pain or congestion, seeking medical attention is advisable.

Nasal Tumours

"Although rare, tumours or growths inside the nose can cause nosebleeds by exerting pressure on blood vessels. If nosebleeds occur frequently or are severe, it's essential to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying issues and the need for further evaluation", added Dr Bhate.

Expert Tips To Manage Nosebleeding

Dr Bhate listed some measures that you should follow during a nosebleed:

You should try to stay calm when dealing with nosebleeding.

Sit down and lean forward slightly to prevent blood from flowing down the throat. Apply gentle pressure to the soft part of the nose and breathe through the mouth. This helps to stem the bleeding by applying pressure to the blood vessels.

Avoid blowing or picking your nose after the bleeding stops, as this could aggravate the area and lead to further bleeding. 

If the nosebleed persists for more than a few minutes or occurs frequently, seeking medical attention is recommended.

[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you have any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]

Disclaimer

All possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; however Onlymyhealth.Com does not take any liability for the same. Using any information provided by the website is solely at the viewers' discretion. In case of any medical exigencies/ persistent health issues, we advise you to seek a qualified medical practitioner before putting to use any advice/tips given by our team or any third party in form of answers/comments on the above mentioned website.

These 6 Foods Can Cause Gustatory Rhinitis (AKA An Eating-Induced Runny Nose), According To An ENT Doctor

Do you ever dig into a meal only to find your nose dripping like a leaky faucet within seconds? Truth be told, this happens to me on the regular… and not only when I chow down on yummy soups or stews and super spicy fare (or if my palate is in for a treat, both). Nevertheless, the term "gustatory rhinitis" has remained new to me—until, well, now-ish.

Although it can be a bit embarrassing when I'm dining in public or in the company of others, I never thought too much about it. But lately, I've been pondering about the what and why behind my long-term nasal overactivity, including if something more serious could be at play.

Ahead, Ashley Agan, MD, an otolaryngologist (aka ENT doctor) with UT Southwestern Medical Center, unpacks why your nose may run when you eat and what you can do to stop it.

Gustatory rhinitis, the who-knew reason your nose runs while eating

It turns out that there's a medical term for a food-induced runny nose: gustatory rhinitis. According to Dr. Agan, the exact mechanism of why it occurs remains unclear, but she shares where the current consensus stands. "It is hypothesized that stimulation of the trigeminal nerve causes a reflex leading to parasympathetic activation, which causes the nose to run," she explains.

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The largest and most complex of the 12 cranial nerves, the trigeminal nerve is responsible for facilitating sensations to the face, mucous membranes, and other parts of the head. In other words, stimulating it could drive that inopportune post-nasal drip when you're trying to enjoy your meal in snot-free peace.

"Having other forms of rhinitis, like allergic rhinitis, may make patients more likely to experience gustatory rhinitis."—Ashley Agan, MD, otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) with UT Southwestern Medical Center

Some people may be more prone to developing gustatory rhinitis than others. "Having other forms of rhinitis, like allergic rhinitis, may make patients more likely to experience gustatory rhinitis," Dr. Agan shares. Moreover, she says that it's more commonly seen in older adults. Meanwhile, a 2010 review in the journal Rhinology adds that people can develop the non-immunological condition due to cranial nerve dysfunction as well as following certain surgeries and traumas.

Foods that cause gustatory rhinitis

Specific foods and drinks are most commonly associated with gustatory rhinitis, so you might want to aim to limit your intake if constantly searching for the nearest napkin grows tiring. (However, a 2008 study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that 65 percent of participants chose not to avoid their causative foods, and nearly half were unbothered by their symptoms.)

"Hot or spicy foods are the most common triggers," says Dr. Agan. Per a 2021 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the most common dietary instigators contain capsaicin, including:

Hot chili and red peppers

Cayenne

Tabasco sauce

Onions

Vinegar

Mustard

Sadly, these are all staples in my regular rotation, and my nose acts up even if I stick to colder and milder fare. What gives?

"This is a benign condition, but if it is bothersome, you should seek advice from an otolaryngologist. Typically, it can be treated quite easily with ipratropium bromide nasal spray. There is also a procedure to treat/ablate the posterior nasal nerve, which is effective as well."

Gustatory rhinitis treatment

Dr. Agan confirms that I'm not alone, as gustatory rhinitis has the ability to rear its head when eating or drinking anything. Though inconvenient, the silver lining is that it's not a cause for concern. "This is a benign condition, but if it is bothersome, you should seek advice from an otolaryngologist," she shares. "Typically, it can be treated quite easily with ipratropium bromide nasal spray. There is also a procedure to treat/ablate the posterior nasal nerve, which is effective as well."

Both are good options if you want to stop the sniffle and defeat the drip for good when it's time to eat. But in the meantime, keep your tissues handy at the table and don't forget to sanitize your hands post-use—especially if you're dining family-style and handling the same condiments, drinks, and utensils.

Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.

Liva, Georgia A et al. "Review of Rhinitis: Classification, Types, Pathophysiology." Journal of clinical medicine vol. 10,14 3183. 19 Jul. 2021, doi:10.3390/jcm10143183

Waibel, Kirk H, and Chih Chang. "Prevalence and food avoidance behaviors for gustatory rhinitis." Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology vol. 100,3 (2008): 200-5. Doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60443-7

Jovancevic, Ljiljana et al. "Gustatory rhinitis." Rhinology vol. 48,1 7-10. 2 Mar. 2010, doi:10.4193/Rhin07.153

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What Will Cure My Daughter's Constantly Runny Nose?

My two-and-a-half-year-old daughter has had a runny nose constantly for six months.

We have to wipe her nose literally every few minutes.

The mucus is thick and green in the mornings and becomes clearer during the day. Antibiotics did not help.

Apparently she has large adenoids (we were told this by an anaesthetist after an operation to correct her squint seven months ago).

Is this normal? Is there anything we can do?

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