The nose has several blood vessels and it is situated in a vulnerable position on the face. The bleeding me much or it may be a minor complication.

The nose bleedings can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out and crack. This is common when the climate is dry or in winter months. The household heaters dry the air in the home dry. In winter months there are more nose bleedings and the reasons are frequent respiratory infections, frequent temperature and humidity fluctuations and the vast temperature difference from outside and the heated homes. The common causes include:

• Infection
• Injury, including from nose picking
• High blood pressure
• Excess alcohol
• Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose with or without swelling)
• Use of blood thinning medicines like warfarin or aspirin or any anti-inflammatory medicine

The nose bleeding could be stopped in the following ways:

• Pinch the nose together between the thump and index finger
• Press the nose firmly toward the face
• Apply ice to nose and cheeks. The ice must be wrapped in a towel
• Do not lay, do not put your head between your legs and sit quietly
• Hold the nose at least for 5 minutes. It should be repeated till the bleeding stops
• Lean forward slightly with head tilted forward to avoid the blood from entering the sinuses and throat

If bleeding continues you must go to your doctor. There are some precautionary measures to prevent the repeating of nose bleeding and they include:

• Take rest with 30 to 45 degrees elevated head
• Do not blow your nose
• If you have to sneeze, open your mouth so that the air can escape out through the mouth
• Avoid bending and straining to lift heavy things. The head must always be higher than the heart
• Do not strain during bowel movements, if necessary take stool softener
• The food must be soft and cold and avoid hot food or drinks for at least 24 hours
• After talking to your doctor avoid blood thinning medicines during this period if possible
• Use the ointment which your doctor prescribes
• Avoid smoking

You have to go to the doctor or to an emergency clinic if the bleeding cannot be stopped or if the blood loss is large or if you feel weak or faint from blood loss.

Your doctor may use nasal packs to stop nose bleedings if the above said conservative measures fail.