Nosebleed
Nosebleeds can be caused by a number of different things. It's not always possible to identify the exact reason why one occurs.
Nosebleeds can start just inside your nostrils (anterior) orat the back ofyour nose (posterior). These different types of nosebleeds tend to have different causes.
The vast majority ofnosebleeds are anterior nosebleeds, which means the bleeding comes fromthe wall between the two nose channels (the lower septum), just inside your nose. This part of the nose, known as Little's area, contains many delicate blood vessels that can be easily damaged.
The cause of anterior nosebleeds is sometimes unknown, but they can be caused by a number of things, including:
Anterior nosebleeds are more common in children and are not usually a sign of anything serious. They can often be treated easily at home. They can be more serious than anterior nosebleeds and bleed more heavily. Medical attention may be required.
Causes of posterior nosebleeds include:
High blood pressure (hypertension) is also more common in people with nosebleeds and may make it harder to stop the bleeding, but it's not clear whether this directly causes nosebleeds.
Read about the causes of nosebleeds, how to treat them at home and when you should seek medical advice.
Find out about some of the main causes of nosebleeds.
Find out how to stop nosebleeds, when to seek medical advice and what treatments are available from your GP or hospital.