Differential Diagnosis for Nose Bleed

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Dry air or minor trauma: This is often the most common cause of nose bleeds, especially in dry environments or due to minor injuries to the nasal mucosa.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Allergies: Allergic reactions can lead to nasal congestion and irritation, increasing the risk of a nose bleed.
  • Hypertension: High blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the nose to become fragile and prone to bleeding.
  • Nasal infections: Infections such as sinusitis or common colds can irritate the nasal passages and lead to bleeding.
  • Use of nasal decongestants: Overuse of nasal decongestants can dry out the nasal mucosa, making it more susceptible to bleeding.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Tumor: Although rare, a tumor in the nasal cavity or sinuses can cause recurrent or severe nose bleeds.
  • Bleeding disorder: Conditions such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease can lead to prolonged or severe bleeding.
  • Vascular malformation: Abnormalities in blood vessel formation can cause recurrent or severe nose bleeds.
  • Foreign body: In children, the presence of a foreign body in the nose can cause bleeding and should be ruled out.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: A genetic disorder characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation, which can lead to recurrent nose bleeds.
  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis): A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and bleeding in the nasal passages.
  • Scurvy: A condition caused by vitamin C deficiency, which can lead to fragile blood vessels and nose bleeds.