Why is my nose bleeding?

Nosebleeds (epistaxis) can arise from several non‑exclusive causes. Many episodes are linked to local factors in the nose, environmental triggers, or systemic issues that affect bleeding.

• Dry indoor air or seasonal changes that dry nasal mucosa.
• Nasal irritation from allergies, inflammation, or infection.
• Local trauma such as nose picking, blowing the nose hard, or facial injury.
• Medications or medical conditions that affect clotting (for example anticoagulants or bleeding disorders).
• Less commonly, structural nasal issues or tumors—these are rare but considered in recurrent cases.

Some nosebleeds require immediate medical attention. Get emergency care if any of the following occur:

• Bleeding is heavy or cannot be controlled after a short time.
• You feel dizzy, faint, confused, or short of breath during or after bleeding.
• There is significant facial or head trauma associated with the bleeding.
• You are taking blood-thinning medication or have a known bleeding disorder and the bleeding is prolonged or severe.

If in doubt about severity, contact emergency services or go to an emergency department.

When you see a clinician about nosebleeds, they will typically gather a focused history and perform a brief examination to find likely causes and decide on further testing or referrals.

• Questions about how often episodes occur, how long they last, and how much blood is involved.
• Recent nasal trauma, nose picking, or nasal surgery.
• Current medications (especially blood thinners) and any personal or family history of bleeding disorders.
• Any accompanying symptoms such as bruising, unexplained bleeding elsewhere, dizziness, or breathing difficulty.

Based on the assessment, your clinician may suggest observation, outpatient ENT referral, or urgent intervention if indicated.

Choose the care setting based on severity and frequency of bleeding.

• Emergency medicine for sudden, heavy, or uncontrolled bleeding.
• Primary care for initial assessment and to review medications or medical history.
• Ear–nose–throat (ENT) specialist for recurrent, frequent, or unexplained nosebleeds or if structural causes are suspected.

If you are unsure where to go, start with primary care or local urgent care for advice.