4 Ways to Administer First Aid to Nosebleeds

1. Sit Up and Lean

When you start to have a nosebleed, sit up and lean forward. You may want to lie down, but this can cause you to swallow blood, which can upset the stomach, and it increases the pressure of veins that supply blood to the nose. If the nosebleed resulted from a head injury or an accidental fall, get to hospital to have a physician examine the person.

2. Pinch the Nose

Another method to use when you administer first aid to the nosebleeds is to pinch the nose to help stop the bleeding. Take your index finger and the thumb to pinch the nose just below the nose bone where the cartilage begins. The pressure from the pinch alters the bleeding point that usually contains the nosebleed. A cold cloth placed just above the nose under the pinch can help, as well. Continue to apply pressure for about 10 minutes and then release the pressure. Make sure that the head is higher than the heart when applying the pinch to nose. If the bleeding continues past 20 minutes without stopping, you will need to get to the nearest hospital for further treatment.

3. Preventing a Recurrence

After the bleeding stops, do not pick at the nose or bend over or participate in any strenuous activity for several hours after the start of the nosebleed. If the bleeding starts again, blow your nose, spray the nasal cavity with a decongestant, apply the pinch again and call your doctor. Dramatic changes in altitude can often cause a series of nosebleeds, especially in older people whose blood is thinner and more susceptible to nose bleeds.

4. Zap it to Stop it

If the nosebleed is persistent, the doctor may need to cauterize the affected blood vessels of the nose. Only a trained physician performs this procedure, which is where a laser or electric current burns the affected area of the nasal cavity. As an alternative to cauterization, some doctors may instead pack the nose with gauze or inflate a latex balloon inside the nose to stop the bleeding. Remember a physician should only administer these treatments.