How to Stop a Nosebleed

You can take steps to stop a nosebleed that occurs at home or in public. Nosebleeds are common. Up to 60 million people in the United States experience nosebleeds each year.

To help stop a nosebleed, sit down and lightly squeeze the nostrils below the bony ridge of your nose between your thumb and forefinger for about 15 minutes. Lean slightly forward so the blood doesn't run down your throat, which can cause an upset stomach.

Most nosebleeds stop on their own, but some people may need additional medical evaluation and treatment. If your nosebleed doesn’t stop bleeding after 30 minutes, the bleeding is thick and heavy, or you are experiencing other symptoms like light-headedness or rapid heartbeat, go to the emergency room immediately.

If you find that your nose bleeds regularly take a long time to stop or you experience recurrent nosebleeds, make an appointment to see a healthcare provider.

This article will describe ways to stop a nosebleed and explore various reasons nosebleeds may continue or recur.

How to Stop a Nosebleed Multiple Ways

Pinching the nose shut correctly is the primary first aid for a nosebleed. Additional tactics may also be useful.

Pinch Nostrils With Head Tilted Slightly Forward

Take these steps:

• Stay calm.
• Sit; do not lie down.
• Lean slightly forward. Maintain a posture so your head is above your heart. Don't put your head between your legs. While it may seem instinctual to tilt your head back or lie down, don’t. If you tilt your head back, blood will go down the throat into the stomach, possibly causing nausea.
• Breathe through your mouth.
• Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the front of your nose just above the nostrils and below the bony part of your nose. Hold this pinch for several minutes. Sources vary as to checking for continued bleeding after five minutes, 10 minutes, or 15 to 20 minutes.
• If bleeding has slowed but is still occurring, continue pinching the nose for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• If bleeding is still heavy after pinching continuously for 15 to 20 minutes or if it hasn't stopped after 30 minutes, see a healthcare provider.
  

If you’re dealing with a child’s nosebleed, have them take some deep breaths to calm down. Make sure the child is sitting up straight and has their head tilted forward a little so they’re not swallowing any blood.

With Ice

Ice alone will not stop a nosebleed, but if the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 15 minutes or so, try placing an ice pack on the bridge of your nose while pinching the nose as described previously. Another place to apply ice is on the back of the neck.

Cold can help constrict blood vessels, which may help slow or stop the bleeding. While there is no official consensus on ice packs for nosebleeds, some people have found it helpful.

With Decongestant Nasal Spray

Decongestants can be sprayed in the nostril where the bleeding is occurring before you pinch the nose shut. Over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays with oxymetazoline, such as Afrin, can help constrict the blood vessels.

If you have frequent nosebleeds, a healthcare provider may recommend topical tranexamic acid for a nosebleed.

Reasons Nosebleeds Don't Stop

Most nosebleeds are minor and start in the front of the nose or the nasal septum (the structure of bone and cartilage that separates the right and left nostrils). These are called anterior nosebleeds.

Posterior nosebleeds that start in the larger blood vessels in the back of the nose are more serious. Posterior nosebleeds are typically caused by a medical condition and require immediate treatment.

Conditions that can cause nosebleeds that won't stop include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heavy alcohol consumption, which interferes with blood’s ability to clot
• Taking medications like blood thinners or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen sodium), as well as aspirin
• Hemophilia (hereditary bleeding disorders)
• Kidney failure
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels)
• Certain kinds of cancer, like acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a blood cancer
  

Nosebleeds and Blood Thinners

Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulant medication, are used to treat and prevent blood clots. People who are on anticoagulant therapy are at higher risk for bleeding in general, including nosebleeds.

Nosebleeds are one of the more common side effects of anticoagulant medications. Jantoven (warfarin) has been associated with a higher rate of nosebleeds than other anticoagulants.

If you are on anticoagulant therapy and getting nosebleeds, tell your provider. Don’t stop taking them without first talking with your treatment team.

Suggestions for People With Frequent Nosebleeds

If there is no underlying condition causing your nosebleeds, there are still ways you can help reduce the risk of frequent nosebleeds, including:

• Use a humidifier at home and/or at work to maintain the moisture in the air around you.
• Avoid smoking, since this can dry out your nasal tissues.
• Don’t pick your nose or blow your nose too forcefully.
• Use a saline spray (make sure it’s pure saline!) to keep the lining of your nose moist.
• Use petroleum jelly inside the nostrils to keep the tissues from drying out.

Even if your nosebleeds become less frequent, it’s always worth being prepared. Make sure you always have a small pack of tissues with you for any surprises.

Summary

Nosebleeds are a fact of life, but they can be annoying, especially if they recur or if they don’t stop easily. To stop a nosebleed, the classic suggestion is to sit up straight, tilting the head slightly forward (not back), and pinch together nostrils with your thumb and finger just below the bony part of the nose until it stops.

Most nosebleeds will stop within 15 minutes or so. However, certain underlying medical conditions, lifestyle behaviors, or medications may increase the risks of severe nosebleeds that are more challenging to stop.

If bleeding continues and doesn't lessen, seek medical care. Go to the emergency room if you are dizzy, light-headed, or short of breath.