Nosebleeds aren't usually a sign of anything serious. They're common, particularly in children, and most can be easily treated at home.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E if:

Immediate action required: Go to A&E if:

It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:

Your GP might want to test you for haemophilia or for other conditions such as anaemia.

Causes of a nosebleed

The inside of the nose is delicate and nosebleeds happen when it's damaged. This can be caused by:

picking your nose

blowing your nose too hard

the inside of your nose being too dry (because of a change in air temperature)

Nosebleeds that need medical attention can come from deeper inside the nose and usually affect adults. They can be caused by:

an injury or broken nose

high blood pressure

conditions that affect the blood vessels or how the blood clots

certain medicines, like warfarin

Sometimes the cause of a nosebleed is unknown.

Certain people are more prone to getting nosebleeds, including: