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Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Risk factors for epistaxis include: (1)

  • a hot, dry indoor climate
    • this causes the delicate nasal skin to crack
    • occurs more often during changes of seasons before the tissues are still not accustomed to the changes in humidity.
  • deviated nasal septum
    • this alters airflow pattern and causes the skin on one side of the nasal septum to become dry
  • colds and allergies
    • upper respiratory tract infections and allergies increase the risk of bleeding.due to inflammation
  • irritant chemical exposure
    • cigarette smoke, sulfuric acid, ammonia, gasoline
  • medical causes
    • kidney failure, thrombocytopenia,hypertension, hereditary bleeding disorders (e.g.hemophilia)
  • alcohol
  • drugs
    • anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen
  • homeopathic medications
  • dietary supplements

Causes of epistaxis

  • a detailed history and examination readily identifies most causes of nasal bleeding (2)
  • these can be considered locally and systemically.

Reference:

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