What to do
- Sit down and lean forward, with the head tilted forward and the mouth open. Breathe through the mouth.
- Pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils, firmly with a thumb and finger. Hold a clean tissue or cloth under the nose to catch the blood.
- Keep pinching for 10 to 15 minutes without letting go to check. A cold pack or a bag of frozen peas on the top of the nose may help, but the evidence for it is not strong, so it does not replace pinching.
- If it is still bleeding when the time is up, keep pinching and get medical help.
- Once it has stopped, stay leaning forward and clean around the nose with lukewarm water. Rest quietly.
- For the next 24 hours, do not blow or pick the nose or pick at scabs. Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, heavy lifting, hard exercise and lying flat.
What not to do:
- Do not tilt the head back. Blood can run down the throat and block the airway.
- Do not lie down flat while it is bleeding.
- Do not push gauze, cotton or tissue up the nose.
- Do not let go every few minutes to see whether it has stopped.
When a nosebleed is an emergency
Do not drive yourself. Ask someone to take you or call for an ambulance, and bring the medicines you take.
When to see a doctor
Most nosebleeds are not serious. See a doctor if:
- you or your child have nosebleeds often
- a child under 2 has a nosebleed
- you have a nosebleed while taking medicine to prevent blood clots, or you have a condition that stops the blood clotting properly, such as haemophilia
- you also have palpitations, shortness of breath or unusually pale skin
Why nosebleeds happen
Common causes are blowing or picking the nose, colds, allergies and sinus problems, dry or very cold air, and an injury to the nose. Medicines that thin the blood can also cause them. Repeated nosebleeds can sometimes point to another problem, such as high or a bleeding disorder, which a doctor can check.
To make nosebleeds less likely, avoid picking the nose or blowing it hard, and do not overuse nasal decongestant sprays. If dry air or a cold keeps setting them off, mention it to a doctor.
Myths and facts
Things people often say about this. Open each one to see what is true.
Myth“Tilt the head back to stop a nosebleed.”What is true?
Fact
Leaning the head back lets blood run down the throat, where it can block the airway or make the person sick. Sit up, lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose.
Myth“Lie down flat until the bleeding stops.”What is true?
Fact
Lying down is not recommended. Sit and lean forward so that the blood drains out of the nose instead of down the throat.
Myth“Stuff cotton or tissue deep into the nostril to plug it.”What is true?
Fact
Do not pack gauze or cotton into the nose. Pinching the soft part of the nose and holding it firmly is what stops the bleeding.
Common questions
How long should I pinch the nose?
Pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 to 15 minutes without letting go to check. If it is still bleeding after that, keep pinching and get medical help.
Is it dangerous if I swallow some blood?
You lean forward so that the blood runs out of the nose instead of down the throat, where it could block the airway. Swallowed blood can make you vomit. Get medical help if you vomit after swallowing a large amount of blood.
What can I do to stop nosebleeds coming back?
For a day after a nosebleed, do not blow or pick your nose, drink hot drinks or lift heavy things. If nosebleeds keep coming back, see a doctor, who can look for the cause.
