Dry cough and nose bleed: what should you know?

Dry air, frequent nose blowing, nose picking and allergic rhinitis can make the delicate nasal lining crack and bleed. A cold may cause nasal inflammation and a cough from drainage or throat irritation. Asthma, acute bronchitis and other airway conditions can cause a dry cough but do not automatically explain bleeding; the source may be the nose rather than the lungs. Reflux is another possible cough trigger without causing a nosebleed directly.

For a nosebleed, sit upright, lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose continuously while breathing through your mouth. Spitting out blood is safer than swallowing it. After it stops, avoid forceful blowing, picking, strenuous activity and very hot drinks for a while. Fluids and a comfortably humid room may ease throat dryness. Saline nasal products can be discussed with a pharmacist, particularly if you use blood-thinning medicine.

Seek urgent help if bleeding is heavy, follows a significant injury, causes faintness, continues despite firm pressure, or occurs with coughing blood or trouble breathing. Arrange a review for frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, one-sided blockage, fever, facial pain or a cough that does not settle. Keep a note of medicines, triggers and whether blood came from the nose or was brought up from the chest.

Ask whether nasal dryness, allergy, reflux or medication is contributing, how to protect the nasal lining, and whether recurrent bleeding needs an ear, nose and throat assessment.