What is the most common cause of epistaxis?

Digital trauma is recognized as the most common cause of epistaxis, particularly in children. This typically refers to the act of nose-picking or the insertion of foreign objects into the nasal passages, which can easily damage the delicate blood vessels in the nasal mucosa, leading to bleeding.

The nasal cavity contains a rich vascular network, making it susceptible to bleeding from even minor injuries. When digital trauma occurs, it often results in local irritation and injury, causing these blood vessels to rupture and produce the hallmark symptom of epistaxis.

In contrast, while anticoagulant medications like warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding, they are not the most prevalent trigger of nosebleeds in the general population. Vitamin C deficiency and hemophilia A are associated with bleeding disorders, but they are less common causes of epistaxis compared to the everyday occurrence of digital trauma. Thus, understanding the primary and most frequent culprits of epistaxis highlights the significance of behavioral factors such as nose-picking in its prevalence.