According to Andy Jagoda and Jessica Freedman, authors of "Good Housekeeping Family First Aid," a nosebleed is most commonly associated with a broken blood vessel in the area that separates the two nostrils. A nosebleed can be caused by cold air, picking the nose, illness or injury. A nosebleed is easy to recognize because blood will flow out of one or both sides of the nose. Most nosebleeds can be treated at home with a few strategies to help stop the flow of blood.
Step 1
Sit up straight and lean forward slightly so your head does not tilt back. Keep your head in the upright position to help prevent blood from flowing down the back of your throat, recommends MayoClinic.com. Leaning forward slightly will help stop the flow of blood by easing some of the pressure in the blood vessels inside your nose.
Step 2
Breathe through your mouth. Keep your mouth open to breathe so you do not suck any of the blood back up into your sinuses, suggest Jagoda and Freedman.
Step 3
Pinch your nose tightly closed. Use your thumb and index finger to keep your nostrils pinched completely shut. Keep your nose pinched shut for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a tissue or piece of gauze to help catch any dripping blood.
Tips and Warnings
- Call your doctor if you have nosebleeds often. Your doctor may cauterize the blood vessels in your nostrils to help stop the blood. Check the humidity level in your home. Adjusting the humidity can help relieve nose bleeds by making the air more moist.
- Go the emergency room if the bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes. Head to the emergency room if an injury or accident involving the nose occurred just before the nosebleed began. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect that your nose is broken. Get medical attention immediately if your gums are bleeding along with the bloody nose and there was no traumatic injury as a cause. Also seek medical attention if there is blood in the back of the mouth and throat -- this can signal a serious medical problem. Do not pick your nose or blow your nose after a nosebleed.
Things You'll Need
- Tissues or gauze
References
- "Good Housekeeping Family First Aid"; Andy Jagoda and Jessica Freedman; 2004
- Mayo Clinic: Nosebleeds: First Aid
