Nose problems are quite common and most are not serious

Nose symptoms are very common and the main thing to consider is that most of these problems are merely because of colds, are benign and do go away on their own. Nose symptoms, such as a blocked nose and nasal discharge, are common in most cases clear inside a couple of days. Nosebleeds will also be common.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can be very worrying. In most cases, they occur due to harm to the liner within the nose, perhaps brought on by dry air, picking your nose or a minor injury. Nosebleeds can also happen throughout a cold, and occur more frequently during pregnancy. Raised blood pressure level doesn't usually result in nosebleeds unless the pressure is very high. If you have a nosebleed, try the following:

Sit up and lean slightly forward. Don't lean back; doing so just results in the blood trickling back into your throat.
Pinch the fleshy little bit of the nose lightly between your finger and thumb, which often settles the bleeding within a few minutes.
Place a chilly, moist flannel on the neck or around the nose and face to help stop the bleeding.
Try not to blow or pick your nose following a nosebleed stops; you can get the bleeding to recur.
Lay down and on your side if you feel faint and continue to put pressure on your nose.

Nosebleeds aren't dangerous in the great majority of cases, but seek medical advice urgently or dial '999' if you experience the following symptoms:

Your nosebleed is extremely severe and you can't get the bleeding to stop within 20-30 minutes.
You are feeling faint or collapse due to a severe or persistent nosebleed.
You can't breathe properly due to the nosebleed.

Blocked nose

A blocked nose is most commonly due to a cold or some form of allergy. Your pharmacist can advise you about over-the-counter treatments that may be effective. If your symptoms persist, see your doctor in case of the obstruction - perhaps as a result of benign fleshy growth (called a polyp) or chronic inflammation from the nose lining - may be responsible.

If your nose feels blocked after you sustain an injury, visit your doctor for any check-up to assess the situation and see whether you need referral to a specialist.

Runny nose

Discharge in the nose is very common and it is usually due to a viral infection, particularly if you also have other cold symptoms such as fever or a sore throat. When the discharge is thick and coloured, and if you also have facial pain, you may have sinusitis.

If you have itchy, irritated eyes in addition to a runny nose, and you are sneezing a lot, hay fever or another allergy is a likely cause. Antihistamines and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays, some of which you can buy over-the-counter without prescription, can be quite effective.

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