How to Stop a Nosebleed in 6 Easy Steps

Blood from the nose seems to spring up out of nowhere and attack at will. Both young and old may be frightened by all that blood. They're common, but there are easy ways to put a stop to them.

The following are some dos and don'ts for preventing nosebleeds, as recommended by ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr. Mohamad Chaaban.

The immediate treatment for a bloody nose

Oh no, blood is about to splash down There's chaos as you freak out and try to fix things.

Having a nose bleed can feel like it's going to last forever. However, nosebleeds typically stop within 20 minutes. If this occurs, especially if it happens frequently or if there is a lot of blood loss, you should contact your doctor.

Take note: if your bloody nose is the result of a facial injury, you should get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

A nosebleed, even if it lasts only 20 minutes, can be very unsettling and annoying. Do these things to stop a nosebleed:

First, maintain an upright posture.

Yes, staying upright is the best way to stop a nosebleed.  

Suggesting that you or your child "sit up straight" as a first step, Dr. Chaaban asserts Either take a seat or stand with a slight incline of the head. The answer is no, you shouldn't lean your head back (more on that later).  

The Second Step: Nasal Spray

To stop the bleeding, you can use an over-the-counter nasal decongestant (oxymetazoline or phenylephrine) and spray it into your nose on the bleeding side.

The Third Step: Press Down

You might want to have a box of tissues on hand for this one. As the blood vessels are close to the nostrils, you should apply firm pressure to the sides of your nose (not the bridge) — as if you were pinching your nose shut. The soft sides of your nose, right above your nostrils, should be pinched gently.  

Fourth, give it time for the bleeding to stop.

And so, the awaiting continues. Maintain pressure for 10–15 minutes before checking to see if bleeding has stopped, Dr. As Chaaban suggests, To succeed, you must be patient; therefore, we advise setting a timer and waiting. And don't let up on the pressure until you've checked to make sure the bleeding has stopped.

Phase 5: Experiment with Ice

A cold compress or ice pack applied to the bridge of the nose for 15 minutes may help stop bleeding by narrowing blood vessels.

Maintain composure (6th step)

An individual's nervousness can be heightened by any bleeding. But maintain as much composure as you can. If a child has a nosebleed and you or another caregiver freak out, it may take longer for the bleeding to stop. Children are more likely to imitate their elders if they see you as a calm and collected figure.

You should seek medical attention if you continue to bleed for more than twenty to thirty minutes. To find out what to do if you've tried everything and the bleeding still won't stop, Dr. According to Chaaban

Tips to avoid making a nosebleed worse

Knowing what not to do, even if doing so might seem like a good idea at the time, is just as important as knowing what to do. But Dr When it comes to relieving the pain and discomfort of a bloody nose, Chaaban separates fact from fiction.

Some things you should try to avoid doing are as follows:

• Do not slouch your shoulders There's a good chance you heard this as kid, but Dr. According to Chaaban, that's not a good idea. When you tilt your head back, blood flows down your throat and can cause you to choke, he warns. "Furthermore, the blood ultimately reaches your stomach, where it can be quite uncomfortable." ”
• Avoid squeezing your nostrils shut. To stop nosebleeds, it may be tempting to stuff tissues or napkins up your nostrils. However, doing so can irritate the nasal lining, leading to even more bleeding when the tissues are removed.
• Stop looking in on it so often! Having applied pressure to a nosebleed (see above), you must maintain that pressure consistently. You shouldn't keep checking in every minute to make sure it's turned off. The longer it takes to stop bleeding if you release pressure more frequently, says Dr. Chaaban asserts

Remedy for Nasal Bleeds: A Guide to Healing

It's important to avoid irritating your nose again after it has bled so that it doesn't bleed again. If you want to help someone get better, try these steps:

• Softly blow your nose. When nosebleeds are healing, blowing too hard can dislodge scabs and cause new bleeding.
• It's best to sneeze with your mouth wide open. Scar tissue can also be loosed by sneezing with the mouth closed.
• Don't force yourself to lift excessive weights Strain raises blood pressure, which can cause bleeding.
• You shouldn't choose One of the most common reasons why children (and many adults who are ashamed to admit it) get nosebleeds is because they pick their noses. Picking at scabs while they are healing can disrupt the healing process and cause blood vessel damage.
• It's important to keep your nose moist. Use nasal saline or a humidifier to keep the nose moist, especially in the winter. Winter's dry air is a major factor in blood loss.  

If you have a bloody nose, when should you go to the doctor?

A bloody nose, even without an obvious injury, may be cause for concern. Bleeding from the larger blood vessels in the back of your nose is another possible cause, which may necessitate additional treatment.

Persistent or frequent nosebleeds may be an indicator of a more serious health problem. Make an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat doctor if you experience nosebleeds that are persistent or if your nosebleeds are accompanied by other symptoms like numbness or pressure in your face.