How to treat frequent nosebleeds, and what is the cost?

Hi,

I think it is most important to find out what is the cause of recurrent nosebleeds first as sometimes there may be more worrying conditions like underlying bleeding disorders or sinister growths at the back of the nose which bleed easily.

However luckily most of the time, after we perform a nasal endoscopy to exclude other sources, it usually turns out to be the delicate and superficial blood vessels at the front of the nose which are the usual suspects causing the nosebleeds.

A simple quick and safe option is to have these vessels cauterised in clinic under local anaesthesia. We do this commonly for adults and older kids with frequent nosebleeds and this technique works pretty well to stop them from recurring. For younger kids, a short and safe general anaesthesia is usually kinder and manageable for them.

A silver nitrate stick is applied to the bleeding vessel for a few seconds to seal it off.

It doesn’t cost much for the cautery itself, but this doesn’t include the cost of the nasal endoscopy and doctor consult fee.

Hi, nasoendoscopies cost about $180 - $350 in Singapore, unsubsidized. This allows the doctor to look inside your nose at potential sources for the nosebleed, and treat it (eg. through cautery), if necessary. If cautery is required, it increases the costs of the nasoendoscopy.

The most common cause of recurrent nosebleeds in Singapore are allergic rhinitis.

Your nose has a rich supply of blood vessels that are prone to bleeding.

When your nose bleeds, sit and tilt your head forward, then press both sides of the lower third part of your nose for 10 minutes while breathing through your mouth. This should help to stop the bleeding.

Nose bleeds are not a normal occurrence. It should be taken seriously and would be prudent to consult an ENT specialist as soon as possible. Nose bleeds may be a sign of a tumour or growth (although not the commonest cause), this needs to be excluded.

The ENT specialist would do a Nasoendoscopy and take a look at the post nasal space. Other causes include prominent small blood vessels in the Littlest Area (in front of the nose) and allergies of the nose or nasal polyps.