What causes nose bleeds?
Epistaxis or nosebleed is due to the rupture of tiny, swollen vessels in the mucous membrane of the frontal septum. This may result from injury or disease and is not uncommon in normal young persons. Small nosebleeds are usually caused by picking of the nose, although there are other local causes such as deviated septum, perforated septum, cancer and trauma. Epistaxis may also occur as a symptom of acute rheumatic fever, acute sinusitis, arterial hypertension and hemorrhagic diseases. Rhinitis is an inflammatory lesion involving the mucous membrane of the nose. It is sometimes a manifestation of allergy, in which case it is referred to as vascular rhinitis, and is usually due to an infection. The most common type of infection which causes rhinitis is coryza, known as the common cold. In acute rhinitis, the nasal mucous membrane becomes congested, swollen and edematous. This quickly subsides, and the membrane returns to normal. After repeated attacks, particularly in cases which origina
