Nosebleeds (epistaxis) (patient fact sheet)

Please note that this guidance is currently undergoing review by Safer Care Victoria to ensure  the content is up to date. In the meantime, we recommend that you also refer to more contemporaneous evidence where possible.

Download our fact sheet to provide your patients with easy to follow guidance on nosebleeds.

This fact sheet has the #withconsumers tick from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia

Nosebleeds (also called epistaxis) are very common. They can occur at any age but are twice as common in children. Most nosebleeds are harmless and do not require treatment.

Nosebleeds usually happen when a small blood vessel inside the nose lining bursts and bleeds. The lining of the nose has lots of tiny blood vessels that warm the air as it enters the nose. This lining is very fragile and may break easily, causing bleeding.