Blood nose and headache: what should you know?

Dry air, nose picking, forceful blowing, allergies and a cold can break small blood vessels in the front of the nose. Sinus inflammation may cause facial pressure or headache alongside congestion; see Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Sinusitis and Common Cold for related patterns. Heat exposure and not drinking enough can contribute to headache and nasal dryness; related information is available for Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion. Dengue Fever and COVID-19 can also involve headache, so fever, body aches, rash or marked illness should be assessed rather than self-diagnosed.

Sit upright and lean slightly forward. Pinch the soft part of your nose continuously, breathing through your mouth, and avoid tipping your head back because blood may run into your throat. Once bleeding stops, do not pick or blow your nose for a while. Rest somewhere cool, sip fluids if you can, and note whether the headache began before or after the bleeding. Avoid taking medicines that can increase bleeding unless a clinician has told you to use them.

Seek emergency help for a sudden or unusually severe headache, confusion, fainting, weakness, trouble speaking, stiff neck, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, or bleeding after a significant injury. Get same-day medical advice if the nosebleed keeps returning, you have a fever or rash, you take a blood-thinning medicine, or the headache and bleeding do not settle. A clinician can check your nose, hydration, blood pressure and other possible causes.

Ask what may be irritating your nose, whether your headache pattern needs examination, and which pain relievers are suitable. Tell the clinician when the bleeding started, how long it lasted, whether it came from one or both nostrils, and what other symptoms appeared.