3 Vitamin Deficiencies That Can Lead to Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds, medically known as epistaxis, can be caused by a variety of factors. They happen most often in children, but can also be caused by minor injuries or trauma in adults.

While the occasional nosebleed can be treated by pinching the end of your nose or applying ice, chronic nosebleeds may indicate a more serious health condition, including vitamin deficiencies.

How Do Nosebleeds Happen?

Nosebleeds happen when the fragile blood vessels in your nose rupture, either from a physical injury or from forcefully blowing your nose. They can also result from dryness, inflammation, and aggressive nose picking, which can damage your skin lining (the epithelium).

Other causes of nosebleeds include benign growths at the back of the nose, certain blood-clotting disorders, and a lack of certain vitamins, especially vitamins K and C.

3 Vitamin Deficiencies That Cause Nosebleeds

Not getting enough of these key essential vitamins can lead to a variety of physical health symptoms, including weakened blood vessels and nosebleeds.

1. Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an enzyme that is important for blood clotting (the process of stopping the flow of blood by clot formation), which is critical for healing damaged blood vessels. If you have a vitamin K deficiency, it might be difficult to stop bleeding from ruptured vessels, including nosebleeds.

Besides increased risk of nosebleeds, other signs of vitamin K deficiency include easily bruised skin and muscles, bloody stool, and pale skin. Foods high in vitamin K include leafy greens, soy, and nuts.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is necessary for the development of collagen, the main component of connective tissue found within your skin and blood vessels. When your vitamin C levels are too low, it can weaken your blood vessels, leading to a condition called vascular fragility. This condition can affect the vessels and capillaries in your nose, which may rupture or leak as a result.

Severe vitamin C deficiency, known as scurvy, can also cause bleeding from the gums and around hair follicles, including those in your nose. You may also get bruised skin, weakness, and muscle pain.

Scurvy is rare in most developed countries, although some people get it from not eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables, according to the U.K.’s National Health Service. You can get more vitamin C through citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli, according to the National Institutes of Health.

3. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is needed to keep the mucosal membranes of the nose, sinuses, mouth, eyes, and digestive tract moist and healthy. Some studies have found an association between vitamin A deficiency and dry skin in the eyes, mouth, and nose. In theory, dry, cracked skin inside the nose could lead to nosebleeds for some people; however, no research shows a direct link between too little vitamin A and nosebleeds.

Orange and yellow vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash, are good sources of vitamin A.