Nose bleeds commonly occur in children and adults, but usually stop short of being true medical emergencies requiring a trip to the emergency room. Home remedies often work well at staunching the flow of blood from a nose bleed, also called epistaxis. A variety of home cures tout the ability to stop a bloody nose. The most effective of these involve the application of pressure, ice packs and packing of the nose.
Pressure
Applying pressure to the nose impacts the bleeding point on the nasal septum and may halt a bloody nose in its tracks. MayoClinic.com recommends pinching the nostrils shut with the thumb and index finger for five to 10 minutes. Squeezing the soft tissue just below the bridge of the nose for for the same period of time may also be effective.
If bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, you may need to consult a physician.
Ice Packs
An ice pack to the bridge of the nose may stop the flow of blood from epistaxis. Icing the nose and cheeks constricts the blood vessels in the nose, blocking blood leakage and giving the injury time to coagulate and cease.
Using pressure on the nose is a more effective home remedy for stopping nose bleeds; however, use of an ice pack offers the added benefit of numbing if there is painful trauma to the face.
Packing Nose
Packing the nose to stop bleeding usually occurs when nose bleeds are unresponsive to cauterization--burning the vessels on the inside of the nasal cavity. However, lightly packing the nose at home produces can produce good results.
The U.S. Army Medical Hospital recommends coating the tip of a cotton swab with petroleum jelly, inserting the swab into the nose and combining with pressure for ten minutes. Leave the swab in the nostril for an additional 10 minutes before removal.
