What causes a nosebleed?

The nose can bleed for a variety of reasons:

• Allergies, infections, or dryness can cause itching and lead to picking of the nose.
• Vigorous nose blowing can rupture superficial nasal blood vessels in the elderly and the young.
• Clotting disorders that run in families or are due to medications
• Fractures of the nose or the base of the skull can cause bleeding and should be regarded seriously when the bleeding follows a head injury.
• Rarely, tumors (both malignant and nonmalignant) have to be considered, particularly in the older patient or in smokers.