What Causes Recurring Nosebleeds?

The nose and nasal cavity are areas of the body that are full of blood vessels and small capillaries. As a result, injury to the nose or dryness in the air can result in nosebleeds. Repeated or recurring nosebleeds may give rise to concerns about nasal health and there are many different causes for nosebleeds to happen over and over again. Causes include overly dry air, drug use, infection, high blood pressure and alcohol use.

Dry Air

• According to John Cunha, MD, who is a board certified emergency room physician, during the winter months, the air may be particularly dry and as a result, individuals may be prone to recurring nosebleeds. The breathing in of dry air dries out the moist mucus membranes of the nasal cavity. Dry air is not limited to the winter months, however. Living in a dry desert climate can also predispose a person to getting nosebleeds because the air is chronically dry.

Drug Use

• Dr. Cunha states that the use of specific types of drugs can also predispose a person to getting recurring nosebleeds. This includes both legal and illegal drugs. For example, if a person is taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, blood thinning medications (Coumadin) or high blood pressure medication (lisinopril), a person may have problems with blood clotting and any injury to the nose may result in a nosebleed. Chronic use of illicit drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine can also predispose a person to recurring nosebleeds, as these drugs are snorted and the membrane of the nose and nasal cavity is damaged by the drugs.

Infections

• Chronic or periodic nasal infections can also result in recurring nosebleeds according to Dr. Cunha. Infections can occur at any point during the year, although there are higher incidences of nasal infections during the winter months when people are more likely to be inside and passing germs from one person to another. Nosebleeds may be the result of repeated sneezing or constantly blowing the nose if a person is experiencing nasal congestion.

High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure can lead to a wide range of health issues, both major and minor. One of the somewhat minor issues, states Dr. Cunha, can be recurring nosebleeds. One of the types of medications given to individuals with high blood pressure is for blood thinning. This helps the blood flow more easily through the veins and blood vessels of the body and reduces blood pressure. However, one of the side effects of many of these medications is recurring nosebleeds.

Alcohol

• Chronic alcohol use is very hard on the body. One of the indicators of a chronic alcoholic can be recurring nosebleeds, states Dr. Cunha. Alcohol thins the walls of blood vessels, veins and capillaries in the body. The result can be that even minor trauma to the nose can result in a nosebleed. Additionally, even without trauma, the walls of blood vessels and capillaries of the nose can be so thin that spontaneous nosebleeds occur.