Headache and nosebleed: what should you know?

Dry air, nose picking, forceful blowing, allergies, or a respiratory infection can damage small blood vessels inside the nose. A blocked or inflamed nose may also contribute to pressure around the forehead and face. Heat, sweating, and not drinking enough can cause headache and make you feel weak. Conditions such as allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, a common cold, COVID-19, dehydration, dengue fever, generalised anxiety disorder, and heat exhaustion may have overlapping symptoms, but the pattern matters.

Sit upright and lean slightly forward. Pinch the soft part of your nose continuously for several minutes while breathing through your mouth; do not tilt your head back or keep checking too soon. Rest somewhere cool, sip fluids if you can, and avoid blowing or picking your nose after the bleeding stops. Use only pain relief that is suitable for you and follow the label, especially if you take medicines that affect bleeding.

Get urgent help if the headache is sudden or severe, you faint, become confused, develop weakness, trouble speaking, breathing difficulty, a stiff neck, repeated vomiting, a high fever, or a rash. Seek prompt assessment if bleeding is heavy, follows an injury, comes from both nostrils, or does not settle with firm pressure. Arrange a medical review when episodes recur or occur with unusual bruising, marked thirst, or worsening illness.

Ask whether your medicines, blood pressure, nasal dryness, allergies, recent travel, fever, or fluid loss could be contributing. Tell the clinician when the headache began, which side hurts, how long the bleeding lasted, and whether you had congestion or other symptoms.