Getting a nose bleed every once in a while is perfectly normal, but when they occur frequently there might be reason for you to visit an ENT. When a nose bleed comes, it is usually fast, hard and messy. Thankfully, nose bleeds almost always stop as quickly as they start. If nose bleeds are occurring several times a week you should be checked out by a doctor right away. Here are some of the main reasons behind recurring nose bleeds.
Excessive Nose Picking
Strangely enough, picking your nose can lead to recurring nose bleeds. For some people, nose picking is a pathological and involuntary behavior. Others will even ‘pick’ their noses with q-tips in an attempt to keep them cleaned out. Blowing your nose is the safest way to eliminate mucus and keep your nose tidy. Even then, you should be careful about the pressure that you apply to your nose.
Nasal Passageway Dryness
In the winter, recurring nose bleeds become more common in some people simply because the air is drier. When the inside of your nose dries out, it is more susceptible to cracking and bleeding. You can try nasal irrigation as a means of keeping your nasal passageways moist and healthy. Humidifiers are also good for helping to combat dry air and nose bleeds during the winter months.
Inability to Clot Blood
If your nose bleeds frequently and it takes a long time for it to stop, you might have blood clotting issues. Some blood disorders such as hemophilia can make something as innocuous as a nose bleed potentially deadly. Try gently pinching your nose and tilting your head back to see if that slows the bleeding. If it doesn’t you may need to see if you are having issues with nose bleeds or if you are experiencing a symptom of something larger.
Cancer and Leukemia
Frequent nose bleeds have been directly linked to the early stages of some types of cancer and leukemia. Nose bleeds are not meant to occur on a regular basis. Because there are sometimes very few signs attached to cancer, you should consult with your primary care physician to learn why you are having recurring nose bleeds.
When a nose bleed starts and stops suddenly, you may become alarmed. It is only when the same thing happens repeatedly within a short space that you should become concerned. For help diagnosing the cause of your nose bleeds, visit the best ENT doctor in NYC to make an appointment today.
Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation.