Are Nosebleeds a Sign of Cancer?

You may have noticed that your nose is bleeding frequently. Nosebleeds are a normal part of life, as the nostrils are lined with tiny blood vessels that are sensitive to the touch. Something like nose-picking, blunt force trauma, a foreign object, or rubbing the nose too hard could trigger a nosebleed.

However, when are nosebleeds cause to worry? A nosebleed may be a sign of something more serious if it occurs more than 4 times a week, and this is referred to as a chronic nosebleed.

Another reason behind chronic nosebleeds is reduced platelet count. Certain treatments for cancer, like chemotherapy, can increase the frequency of bleeding. If you have breast cancer, you may be undergoing targeted therapies like Avastin. This will also increase your nose bleeds.

Keep in mind that painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen can lower your blood platelet count, which can then lower your body’s ability to clot blood.

If you have cancer, you may notice that your nosebleeds are increasing. They are especially common for cancer patients because they can occur as a result of something as simple as blowing the nose too hard, sneezing, or bumping it lightly.

You can start seeing a chronic nosebleed specialist in Los Angeles if you want to try to treat this annoying issue. Nosebleeds are usually just an annoyance, but you should go to the emergency room if:

• You can taste blood. This means that the nosebleed is from the back of your nose, which contains more deep blood vessels.
• The nose has lasted for 20 minutes or longer
• The bleeding is profuse
• You feel weak or dizzy due to the significant loss of blood
• You suffer from high blood pressure, hypertension, and blood clotting disorders, especially haemophilia

See if one of our doctors can help you or your child if you find nosebleeds occurring more than usual. Our ENT doctors are highly skilled in treating nosebleeds. If your child is the one with the nosebleed, our Pediatric ENT doctor in Los Angeles can work with them in the friendliest way possible, as not to upset them during an already upsetting time.