How to Stop a Nosebleed

Nosebleeds, or commonly known as 'bloody noses', are a widespread condition that can occur suddenly. This typically happens when the nasal passages become irritated or dry. The damage to the small blood vessels inside the nose is what triggers the bleeding. Most nosebleeds originate from the blood vessels in the nasal septum, the tissue that divides the two nasal cavities. Frequent nosebleeds are common in people with nasal allergies, sinusitis, high blood pressure, or blood disorders. Understanding the causes and knowing how to manage nosebleeds can help you deal with this issue more effectively.

Adjust your posture. If your nosebleed is not too severe, you can perform first aid at home to stop the bleeding. Start by sitting down slowly, as this position is more comfortable than standing. Tilt your head slightly forward to allow the blood to naturally stop flowing.

• You can place a towel under your nose to absorb the blood.
• Avoid lying flat, as this could cause the blood to flow down your throat, leading to swallowing it.

Pinch your nose tightly. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch the lower part of your nose, completely blocking both nostrils. This first aid technique applies direct pressure to the area where the blood vessels have been damaged. It's considered an effective method to help the blood vessels in your nose clot and stop the bleeding. Hold your nose for 10 minutes, then release it.

• If the bleeding continues, continue to apply pressure for another 10 minutes.
• While performing this technique, breathe through your mouth.

Cool down and lower your body temperature. Reducing your body temperature will help decrease blood flow to your nose. To do this, you should suck on a few ice cubes. This will cool your body down faster than applying cold to the outside of your nose. Additionally, your body will maintain this lower temperature for longer.

• This method has been found to be more effective than applying cold compresses to the nose. A recent health study showed that cold compresses on the nose don't yield the expected results.
• You can also suck on an ice cream bar to achieve similar results.

Use a nasal decongestant spray. If you experience occasional nosebleeds and don’t have high blood pressure issues, try using a nasal decongestant. This medication will constrict the blood vessels in the nasal passages. To use it, prepare a cotton ball or clean gauze, then apply about 1–2 drops of the nasal spray onto it. Insert the cotton ball into both nostrils, continue pinching your nose, and after 10 minutes, check if the bleeding has stopped.

• If the bleeding has stopped, keep the cotton ball or gauze in place for one hour to prevent it from recurring.
• Using nasal sprays frequently (about 3–4 days a week) may cause dependency and nasal congestion.
• Therefore, nasal sprays should only be used when bleeding persists despite the 10-minute nose pinching technique.

Clean your nose and rest. Once the nosebleed has stopped, wash the area around your nose with warm water. After cleaning your face, take some time to rest. This will help prevent further nosebleeds.

• You should lie on your stomach while resting.

Be gentle with your nose. Personal activities can sometimes contribute to nosebleeds, so the following precautions can help you avoid this problem in the future. Avoid picking your nose, as this can damage the sensitive blood vessels inside. Additionally, nose picking can disrupt clots that are covering damaged blood vessels, causing the bleeding to worsen. When sneezing, make sure to keep your mouth open to prevent air from forcing out through your nose.

• Keep the inside of your nose moisturized by gently applying a safe ointment or gel with a cotton swab twice a day.
• Blow your nose gently, alternating between each nostril.
• Trim your child's nails to prevent worsening nosebleeds.

Invest in a humidifier. To increase the humidity in your environment, consider purchasing a humidifier. You can place it in your home or workplace, especially during dry winter months.

• If you don't have a humidifier, you can place a metal misting bottle near a heat source to improve the air's moisture levels.

Increase your fiber intake. Constipation can make bowel movements difficult, causing hard stools, which can lead to nosebleeds as blood vessels become strained. This can even temporarily increase arterial pressure, breaking clots and causing further bleeding from the nose. Constipation can be prevented by eating fiber-rich foods and staying hydrated.

Eating more fiber will help soften your stools. During bowel movements, avoid straining, as this increases cerebral arterial pressure, which may rupture sensitive blood vessels in the nasal passages.

• Eating around 6 to 12 dried plums a day is considered more effective than adding fiber from fruits and vegetables. You can also use this method to prevent constipation.
• Say no to spicy and hot foods, as they can dilate blood vessels and trigger nosebleeds.

Use a saline nasal spray. This type of nasal spray can be used multiple times a day to keep your nose moist. Moreover, it won't cause dependence since the only ingredient is salt. If you don't want to spend money on a store-bought spray, you can make your own.

• To begin, prepare a clean container. Add 3 tablespoons of non-iodized salt and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Mix these ingredients together, then take 1 teaspoon of the mixture and add about 240 ml of warm distilled or boiled water. Stir until dissolved.

Eat more foods rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural compounds commonly found in citrus fruits and are known for improving the fragility of capillaries. As a result, you should consider increasing your citrus intake. Other foods rich in flavonoids include parsley, onions, blueberries, and various other berries, black tea, green tea, oolong tea, bananas, all citrus fruits, Ginkgo biloba, wine, sea buckthorn, and dark chocolate (with cocoa content of 70% or more).

• Avoid taking flavonoid supplements such as ginkgo pills, quercetin, grape seed extract, and flaxseed as they may increase flavonoid levels and even cause toxicity.

Recognize that nosebleeds come in different forms. The type of nosebleed depends on which part of the nose is affected. The blood may come from the front of the nose, or it may occur deeper inside the nasal passages. Nosebleeds can happen spontaneously with no specific cause.

Identify the causes. There are many causes of nosebleeds. If you experience one, it's important to understand the underlying reason so you can take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future. Nosebleeds can occur due to self-inflicted injuries, often from nose-picking, a common problem in children. Other causes include drug and substance abuse (such as cocaine), vascular disorders, blood clotting problems, and trauma to the head or face.

• Environmental factors, such as low humidity, especially in the winter, can irritate the nasal membranes, leading to nosebleeds. The incidence of nosebleeds tends to increase during colder weather.
• Infections in the nose and nasal cavities are also common causes of nosebleeds. Additionally, allergies can irritate the nasal membranes, leading to bleeding.
• In some special cases, migraines in children are also considered a contributing factor.
• Facial injuries can also lead to nosebleeds.

Avoid certain situations. If you have a nosebleed, it's best to avoid circumstances or actions that could worsen your condition. Never tilt your head back, as this will cause the blood to flow down your throat, making you feel nauseous. You should also avoid talking and coughing, as these actions can irritate the nasal membranes and cause the bleeding to resume.

• If you need to sneeze while your nose is bleeding, try sneezing through your mouth to avoid further pain or an increase in bleeding.
• Do not blow your nose or pick at it, especially once the bleeding has slowed. Doing so could dislodge the clot and cause the bleeding to start again.

Consult a doctor. There are certain situations where you should seek medical advice. If the nosebleed becomes severe, lasts more than 30 minutes, or occurs frequently, you should consult a doctor. Consider getting medical attention if you feel pale, fatigued, or disoriented. These could be signs of significant blood loss.

• If you're experiencing difficulty breathing, especially when blood is flowing down your throat, you should see a doctor. This could lead to a sore throat and coughing. If left untreated, it may increase the risk of infection or even result in respiratory issues.
• Visit a doctor if the nosebleed is due to a severe injury.
• Consult your doctor if you're on blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or if you're taking aspirin daily and experience nosebleeds.