Nosebleeds: How to Stop One the Right Way

How do I stop a nosebleed?

1. Sit down and lean forward, with your head tilted forward and your mouth open. Do not tip your head back.
2. Pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils, between your thumb and finger so both nostrils are closed.
3. Hold that squeeze without letting go for 10 to 15 minutes. Checking every minute restarts the clock.
4. Breathe through your mouth, and spit out any blood that reaches your mouth rather than swallowing it.
5. An ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth, held on the top of the nose, may help, although the evidence for it is limited.

Do not push tissue, cotton wool or gauze up into the nose. Firm, steady pressure on the soft part is what closes the bleeding vessel.

Why is leaning forward important?

Tipping the head back lets blood run down the back of the throat. That gets swallowed, which can cause vomiting, and it hides how much blood is actually being lost. Leaning forward keeps the blood coming out of the front where you can see it.

What should I avoid for the next 24 hours?

• Blowing or picking your nose
• Picking at any scab that forms
• Hot drinks and alcohol
• Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise
• Lying flat

These all raise the chance of the bleed starting again before the vessel has had time to seal.

Why do nosebleeds happen?

Most nosebleeds come from small blood vessels near the front of the nose. Common reasons include picking the nose, blowing it hard, and dryness from cold or dry air or sudden temperature changes. Colds, sinus problems, allergies and repeated sneezing irritate the lining too. Long-term use of decongestant sprays and a deviated septum can play a part.

Deeper or heavier bleeding can follow an injury to the nose or head, or relate to blood vessel and clotting problems, or to blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin.

How can I prevent nosebleeds?

Keep indoor air from getting too dry, for example with a humidifier or vaporiser, and keep rooms cool rather than hot and stuffy. In dry weather, saline nasal spray or a water-soluble jelly helps keep the lining of the nose moist. Avoid picking the nose, and blow gently rather than forcefully.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment if:

• a child under 2 years old has had a nosebleed
• you get nosebleeds regularly
• you have symptoms of anaemia, such as unusual tiredness or breathlessness
• you take a blood-thinning medicine, or have a clotting disorder
• you think your nose may be broken
• the bleeding started after nose or sinus surgery

Treat a nosebleed as an emergency if the bleeding lasts longer than 10 to 15 minutes, if it is heavy or you have lost a lot of blood, if you swallowed a lot of blood and it makes you vomit, if it started after a serious head injury, or if you feel weak or dizzy or have difficulty breathing. In those cases, call Rescue 1122 where available, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do not drive yourself; have someone else take you.