How to stop a nosebleed
- Sit up and lean forward slightly. This keeps blood from running down your throat.
- Pinch the soft part of your nose, just above the nostrils and below the bony bridge, with your thumb and finger. Press firmly, squeezing both nostrils closed.
- Hold the pressure for 10 to 15 minutes without letting go to check. Use a clock: it feels longer than it is.
- Breathe through your mouth, and spit out any blood rather than swallowing it.
- Release gently. If it is still bleeding, pinch again for another 10 to 15 minutes.
An ice pack or cold flannel on the bridge of the nose or the back of the neck may help a little, but the pinching is what stops the bleeding.
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not tilt your head back. Blood runs into the throat and stomach, which can cause coughing, choking and vomiting.
- Do not lie down.
- Do not pinch the bony bridge. The bleeding usually comes from blood vessels lower down, near the front of the nose.
- Do not keep letting go to check. Every release restarts clotting.
- Do not stuff tissue or cotton wool deep into the nose.
After it stops
For the next 24 hours, to let the clot hold:
- Do not blow or pick your nose.
- Avoid bending over, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.
- Avoid hot drinks, alcohol and very hot showers, which widen blood vessels.
- Sneeze with your mouth open.
Why nosebleeds happen
Most nosebleeds start at the front of the nose, in a small area where many fine blood vessels sit close to the surface. Common causes:
- Dry air, from cold weather, heating or air conditioning, which cracks the lining of the nose.
- Picking or blowing the nose hard.
- Colds, allergies and sinus infections, which inflame the lining.
- Minor knocks to the nose.
- Medications such as blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban and others), aspirin and some nasal sprays.
Children aged 2 to 10, older adults, pregnant people and people taking blood thinners get them more often.
How to prevent nosebleeds
- Moisturise the inside of the nose with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a nasal gel, especially at night in winter.
- Use a saline nasal spray to keep the lining moist.
- Run a humidifier in the bedroom in dry weather. Keep it clean.
- Keep nails short in children who pick their noses.
- Blow your nose gently, one nostril at a time.
Dry winter air affects skin too. See our winter skin care routine.
When to get medical help
Call emergency services or go to an emergency department if:
- bleeding has not stopped after 20 minutes of continuous pressure
- the bleeding is very heavy, or you are swallowing a lot of blood
- you feel faint, dizzy or short of breath
- the nosebleed followed a head injury, a fall or a blow to the face, especially if the nose looks out of shape
- you are taking blood thinners and cannot stop the bleeding
See a doctor soon if:
- you get nosebleeds often, for example several times a week
- you have other unusual bleeding, such as bleeding gums or easy bruising
- a child under 2 has a nosebleed
- you have nosebleeds and high blood pressure (see how to lower blood pressure)
- a nosebleed comes with a blocked nose on one side, facial pain or a change in sense of smell
Bleeding that starts at the back of the nose (a posterior nosebleed) is less common, often heavier, and more likely in older adults. It usually needs medical treatment.
A doctor can cauterise a bleeding blood vessel (seal it with a chemical or heat) or use nasal packing, and check for an underlying cause.
Key takeaways
- Lean forward, pinch the soft part of the nose and hold for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Never tilt your head back.
- Avoid blowing, picking and heavy exercise for 24 hours afterwards.
- Get urgent help if bleeding lasts more than 20 minutes or follows a head injury.
This article is general first-aid information, not medical advice. If you are worried, contact a doctor or emergency services.