Fever and Nosebleed

by Garreth Myers

Nosebleeds are common and are not usually serious. Even though nosebleeds can occur at any age, they are more common in children. Nosebleeds can last from a few seconds to more than 10 minutes and can be treated at home. However, frequent nosebleeds may be an indication of an underlying health condition like hypertension and should be addressed immediately.

The medical name of nosebleed is epistaxis. A nosebleed is the loss of blood from the lining of the nose. Nosebleeds occur when the capillaries in the nose lining burst. These capillaries are fragile and can break easily causing bleeding. During a nosebleed, blood flow can occur from one nostril or both nostrils. The tiny blood vessels inside the nostrils can bleed if they are disturbed by a minor injury. Drying out of mucous membrane inside the nostrils can also cause nose bleeding. Cold weather and infections can make the nose dry out. The inflamed or cracked mucous membrane starts bleeding when it gets disturbed.

Nose bleeds is one of the symptoms of fever that occur due to infection. Common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, nose, and throat. In severe cases, nose bleeds can occur with a cold. Other health conditions that have nose bleed with fever as the symptom include the following:

Hay fever
Viral fever,
Dengue fever
Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Rheumatic fever

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is common during the summer and occurs due to an allergic reaction. Excessive sneezing caused by allergens is accompanied with hay fever. In severe cases, irritation of the nose may result in nose bleed with a fever. Another health condition that has symptom of nose bleed with a fever is a viral fever, namely, chikungunya. It is a virus disease caused by alpha virus. Patients suffer from nose bleed with other symptoms like arthralgia, skin rashes, and fever during the outbreak of chikungunya. Dengue fever is a debilitating mosquito borne disease that is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with dengue fever. In severe cases, nose bleed with fever, damage to the lymph and blood vessels, and enlargement of the liver occur, which may lead to dengue shock syndrome, and which may progress to massive bleeding, shock and death. Nose bleed with fever is the symptom of viral hemorrhagic fever and rheumatic fever as well. The most common causes of nosebleed include:

Hot, dry weather that makes fragile blood vessels in the nostrils to bleed easily
Infection of the lining of the nostrils
Cold
Flu, hay fever
Nose picking
Medications like blood thinners
Falls
Nose injury

Keeping the nostrils closed for a few minutes helps to stop nosebleeds. Lean forward and breathe with your mouth. Apply cold compresses like ice packs across the bridge of the nose to stop bleeding. If the nosebleed does not subside with a few attempts, consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will prescribe medication that you can put in your nostrils to stop the bleeding. Continuous or repetitive nosebleeds may be a symptom of serious health condition like sinus blockage, high blood pressure, etc.

Prevention

In order to prevent nose bleeding due to cold or hay fever, don’t pick or blow your nose.
Wear a head guard while playing sports like boxing and rugby.
Avoid aspirin. If it is not possible, ensure to know how to prevent nosebleeds.
If you have dry skin in the nose, nasal sprays or petroleum may help to prevent nosebleeds due to dryness.
Use humidifier to avoid dryness.
Avoid cigarette smoke.
Drinking plenty of fluids can help to prevent nosebleeds.

References:

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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