Symptoms
Nosebleeds usually involve one nostril, but occasionally both nostrils are involved. If one nostril becomes partially blocked with a blood clot, the blood might flow out the other nostril or down the back of the throat.In a posterior nosebleed (higher up in the nose), large amounts of blood typically flow down the back of the throat.
Causes
The inside of the nose is covered with moist, delicate tissue (mucosa) that has a rich supply of blood vessels near the surface. When this tissue is injured, even from a minor nick or scratch, these blood vessels tend to bleed, sometimes heavily.Common risk factors for nosebleeds include:
- A hot, dry indoor climate
- Colds and allergies
- Exposure to irritating chemicals
- Nose picking
- Sneezing
- Nose blowing
- Rubbing the nose
- Age (Older people have more nosebleeds because the bodys tissues have shrunken and are more dry.)