While most cases are harmless, repeated episodes could point to serious problemslike cancer or high blood pressure. STACEY CHIA reports

While there is no need to panic when you get an occasional nose bleed, don’t ignore it if it happens frequently.

Dr Chan Kwai Onn, consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at K O Chan Ear Nose Throat Sinus & Sleep Centre, said that while nose bleeds – or epistaxis – are commonly a result of picking or rubbing your nose, it can sometimes indicate something more serious.

High blood pressure, a blood clotting problem and, in more severe cases, cancer, can cause nose bleeds.

Dr Chan said he had several patients who blamed their nose bleeds on nasal dryness. But after a nasal endoscopic examination, they were found to have nose cancer.

Persistent nose bleeds should be seen by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to determine if they are indeed caused by a minor problem like nasal dryness, he said.

Most of the bleeding from the nose occurs at the frontal area of the nasal septum where there is a bunching of blood vessels, said Dr Gerard Chee, consultant ENT surgeon at G Chee Ear Nose Throat Sinus and Dizziness Centre.

Frequent blowing and picking of one’s nose can cause the blood vessels in the nasal cavity to break. Also, when it is too dry, the nasal lining cracks and exposes these blood vessels, hence causing a nose bleed.

What to do when you bleed
When your nose bleeds, your first reaction might be to tilt your head back to staunch the flow of blood.

However, avoid doing that as it forces the blood down your throat. This can cause gastric problems and vomiting, said Dr Chan.

You should also avoid stuffing tissue paper up your nose to absorb the blood, said Dr Chee.

Instead of fighting the flow of blood, you should sit up and lean forward to prevent it from going down your throat.

Then pinch your nose firmly between your thumb and index finger, just below the nasal bones and hold for five to 10 minutes.

Once the bleeding stops, use a saline nasal spray or nasal gel to keep your nose moist and avoid blowing your nose for several hours after the bleeding stops.

However, if your nose is still bleeding after 10 minutes in spite of first aid, you may require silver nitrate cautery or electrocautery to stop the bleeding.

Cauterisation is a procedure used to force the blood to coagulate.

If you suffer from nasal dryness, Dr Chan had this advice: keep your air-conditioner’s temperature to no lower than 24 deg C, or sleep in a non-airconditioned room.

About 85 per cent of nose bleeds are due to nasal dryness and it is especially common in children, said Dr Chan.