When Should You See A Doctor for Nosebleeds?
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Nosebleeds are common occurrences among people and are usually not a cause for immediate worry. However, recurring or nonstop nosebleeds may require expert medical intervention. At Cross Timbers ENT, located in Arlington, Midlothian, and Mansfield, TX, our board-certified physicians are qualified to evaluate, treat, and prevent recurring nosebleeds.
Are there different types of nosebleeds?
There are two types of nosebleeds:
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Anterior nosebleed: Bleeding stems from the cartilaginous separation between the nostrils called the nasal septum. This type of nosebleed is not usually very serious and can be stopped within a short amount of time.
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Posterior nosebleed: Bleeding stems from further up and deeper into the nose. In this case, blood drips out both nostrils as well as into the back of the throat. If bleeding does not stop on its own, it’s essential to seek medical help right away.
What causes nosebleeds?
There are multiple causes for nosebleeds, some of which include:
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Allergies
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Excessive rubbing, nose-blowing
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Drier climates
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Weather changes
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Heated indoor air during the winter months
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Injury to the nasal area
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Medication side effects (i.e., blood thinners)
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Underlying medical conditions
Our board-certified physicians at Cross Timbers ENT can perform detailed assessments to find the root cause(s) for frequent nosebleeds.
When should I see a doctor for a nosebleed?
Recurring nosebleeds or nosebleeds that won’t stop on their own should be cause for concern. Individuals who are experiencing uncontrollable nosebleeds should seek medical help right away.
What doctors do to treat a nosebleed
Our specialists located in Arlington, Midlothian, and Mansfield, TX perform an initial ears, nose, and throat evaluation to determine the cause and severity of the nosebleed. If the nosebleed can’t be stopped using basic maneuvering procedures, such as tilting the head back and pinching the nose, our doctors will recommend more advanced treatment options:
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Applying a saline gel or antibiotic ointment
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Sinus treatment, such as endoscopic cauterization
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Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation or blocking off a blood vessel
All these interventions are provided by our board-certified physicians and are used to stop recurring nosebleeds.
How to treat a nosebleed from home
Anterior nosebleeds are relatively easy to treat from home. In an upright sitting or standing position, lean your head forward while pinching the soft part of your nose. You may have to pinch your nose for up to ten minutes or so. Afterward, apply a cold compress to the nose to stave off any additional bleeding.
If you suspect that the cause of your nosebleed is much deeper in the nasal cavity and the bleeding won’t stop with home treatment measures, seek medical help right away.
Prevent nosebleeds in the future
Future nosebleeds can be prevented by managing the root causes, such as chronic allergies, sinus infections, frequent nose blowing, and compensating for changes in the weather or dryness of the air. This could include staying on top of over-the-counter or prescribed allergy and nasal medication, or employing humidity techniques during dry seasons. Our board-certified physicians can help each patient develop an intervention plan based on the causes of the nosebleeds to prevent future incidents.
Our team takes consults from patients all over the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro area. Contact our specialists located in Arlington, Midlothian, and Mansfield, TX to schedule an appointment today.