Nosebleeds definitely aren’t the most appealing thing to see and they make us question our health and could even cause panic. The good news is, nosebleeds are harmless in most cases. There are 2 main types of nosebleeds: anterior and posterior. Anterior nosebleeds originate from the wall between the 2 nose channels that contains many delicate, easily-damaged vessels. Posterior nosebleeds include heavier bleeding from the arteries inside your nose and they are usually much more serious and more common in adults.  There are innumerable reasons for nosebleeds, but the main question: can sinus infections cause nosebleeds?

Sinusitis and nosebleeds

As many people are terrified when they see a nosebleed they usually opt for all sources to search the cause without taking into consideration the other symptoms. Therefore when we suffer from a respiratory problem such as a cold, flu or sinusitis (the infection of sinus lining), we’re used to seeing a lot of that disgusting discharge and fruitlessly try to get rid of it by blowing/coughing it out, but once we see some blood on that tissue we get confused. The important thing to know is that this is normal, especially when you try too hard on blowing your nose. Also, the pressure to the whole area due to the stuffed nose could cause some of the vessels to break. Most frequently, the bleeding in question is anterior and it is not life-threatening.

A bit more about sinus infection

How does it begin?

Simply said, sinusitis begins with nothing more than a cold. When the cold persists, the small, air-filled cavities behind your cheek bones called sinuses become blocked which becomes a perfect environment for germs to grow. It usually takes 2-3 weeks until your stuffed nose leads to sinusitis. However, there are other conditions leading to sinusitis such as allergies and polyps.

The symptoms of sinusitis

Sinusitis symptoms are very clear. It usually starts with a lot of green or yellow discharge that blocks your nose. This further leads to a lot of pain in the area of your cheekbones, sinuses, and forehead and you may be forced to breathe through the mouth. Naturally, your voice will sound pretty nasal and you’ll also have to deal with a toothache, reduced sense of smell and bad breath (due to all that mouth breathing that will provide good conditions for the bacteria to thrive in the area).

Who can get the sinus infection?

Everyone is susceptible to sinusitis: from people with simple colds to the ones with immune deficiencies and some inherited anomalies in the nose structures.  Children at day-care should be given special attention because they could carry the infection with them and unintentionally spread it to other kids. Therefore, parents should watch their young ones closely and keep them at home at the very first sight of cold.

Acute VS Chronic Sinusitis

The biggest difference between the acute and chronic sinusitis is how long they last. Acute sinusitis can last up to 4 weeks while the chronic one could last for years.

Sinusitis treatment

For every case of sinusitis, you’ll need a detailed examination in order to figure out the cause to design a perfect treatment.  Decongestants usually work with simple cases of flu, however when it progresses to sinusitis, then you’ll probably need a much more perplexed treatment that includes both medications and self-care. Also, if your sinusitis is caused by viruses then antibiotics will probably be of no use.

Read Also:

Does Sinus Infection Cause Ear Pain?

How To Dry Up Mucus In Sinuses?

What To Do For Sinus Pain In Face And Teeth?

What about nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds are also known as epistaxis, and, as it has already been mentioned, they do not pose any danger. Even when it comes to the posterior nose bleeding that is thought of as much more grave than the anterior, it is really rare that this bleeding indicates any serious health problem.  People who are drinking aspirin bleed much more easily and profusely. Also, nosebleeds are very frequent in the winter time when the cold air dries your nose vessels and they simply rupture. As the nose is closely connected to the face which is full of tiny, fragile blood vessels, any trauma to the whole face area, regardless of the nose itself, could result in the nose bleeding.  Epistaxis can usually be stopped at home, but in some cases, doctors are needed to stop it with heating instruments, chemical swabs or topical medicines called thrombin.