Ways To Stop A Nosebleed

May 7th 2016

Call your doctor if the nosebleed does not stop, or if you experience bleeding that reoccurs. Chronic nosebleeds may indicate a sign of something more serious that needs medical attention.

Lean Your Head Forward

Lean your head forward to prevent any blood from going up your nostrils and into your throat. When this happens, blood goes into your stomach, which may cause you to vomit. If you vomit with a bloody nose, the bleeding may worsen. If any blood does get in your mouth, spit it out rather than swallow it.

Pinch Your Nose

Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the soft, lower part of your nose shut. If you have any medicated nasal spray handy, squirt some of that into your nose, as directed on the label, before pinching your nose as it could help stop the bleeding faster. Breathe through your mouth so your nose remains completely closed. Nosebleeds occur most often in the soft part of the nose rather than the bony area. Doctors call this type of nosebleed an anterior epistaxis.

Apply a Cold Pack

Apply an ice pack to the nose to restrict blood vessels even more. Cold temperatures restrict blood vessels in general, and the cold pack assists in the clotting process. If you use an ice pack, put a cloth between you and ice, such as a small towel or washcloth.

Maintain Pressure

Maintain pressure on the soft part of the nose for approximately 10 minutes. Try not to let go or see if the bleeding stops before the time elapses. Keep a timer, watch or clock nearby to determine when 10 minutes passes. Maintain the pinching with both sides of the soft part of the nose against the septum, or the soft middle part, of your nose. If bleeding continues, hold for another 10 minutes.

Coat Your Nose

After the bleeding stops completely, apply a light coat of moisturizing ointment, such as petroleum jelly, on the inside of your nose. Antiseptic nasal creams work for the purpose. Avoid blowing your nose for the next 12 hours, and do not let anything else get inside your nose during that time. Keep your head higher than your heart so blood does not rush to your nose.

Bleeding Recurs

If bleeding returns, blow your nose forcefully to remove any remaining blood clots from before. Spray both sides of your nose with medicated nasal spray containing oxymetazoline. Repeat the nosebleed scenario as described before.


First aid for a nosebleed includes several steps designed to effectively stop the bleeding as soon as possible. Many people believe proper first aid includes tilting your head back, but that is not the correct method. Instead, follow these steps as recommended by medical professionals.


WebMD.com "How to stop a nosebleed" http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/how-to-stop-a-nosebleed
Harvard.edu "Stopping nosebleeds: a pinch will usually do the trick" http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/stopping-nosebleeds-a-pinch-will-usually-do-the-trick-201310186769
MayoClinic.org "Nosebleeds: first aid" http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-nosebleeds/basics/art-20056683

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