Why is My Nose Bleeding? Monday 25th May 2009 HCFI: Nosebleeds is a common problem, occurring in up to 60 percent of the general population and is often because of a respiratory illness or dry conditions. Nasal drying is common in the winter during cold dry weather and in the summer with air-conditioning, said Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and Director IMAAKN Sinha Institute.   Here are typical reasons for nosebleeds: Nasal allergies. Blowing your nose too hard or trying to remove something from inside the nose. A result of "popping" the ear. Nasal exposure to chemicals. Frequent sneezing or having an upper respiratory infection. Use of nasal spray or a blood-thinning drug, such as aspirin. Inhaling air that is extremely dry or cold. Having recent surgery on the nose or elsewhere on the face. Breaking the nose or a similar injury. Uncontrolled blood pressure Properly instructed patients may achieve bleeding control unassisted while the evaluation gets underway. Proper tamponade involves grasping the alae distally so all mucosal surfaces are opposed. The patient should be encouraged not to check for active bleeding, but rather to hold constant pressure for at least five minutes. Other maneuvers include bending forward at the waist while sitting up (to avoid swallowing blood), placing a plug of cotton wool or tissue paper into the bleeding nostril (sometimes coated with antibiotic ointment), expectorating blood that accumulates in the pharynx, and a cold compress applied to the bridge of the nose. These maneuvers also should be taught to high-risk patients for use at home. Many otolaryngologists recommend initial treatment with two puffs of oxymetazoline to hasten hemostasis.