Quick and Easy Ways to Stop a Nosebleed

Nosebleeds can be frightening, especially because they tend to come on quickly and without warning. They are rather common, due to the fact that we all have a large number of blood vessels located in our nose. There are several causes for nosebleeds, such as dry nasal membranes, trauma, nose picking (especially in children!), frequent nose blowing, blood-thinning medications, and other bleeding disorders. Below you will find some quick and easy ways to stop your nose from bleeding.

Tilt Forward, Not Back

The old adage goes that if your nose is bleeding you should tilt your head backward to stop the blood flow. But this is exactly what you shouldn’t do! Repeat: do not tilt your head back when you have a nosebleed! Titling your head back will only make the blood travel down your throat and into your stomach or lungs. Instead, make sure that you sit up straight and lean forward a little bit, preferably over the sink.

Out, Not In

You should also never stuff your nose with tissues or other material when your nose is bleeding. Instead, gently blow your nose and then firmly pinch the softest part of your nose (the area just above your nostrils). After 10-15 minutes of pinching, the blood flow should stop on its own.

Stay Calm

It’s also important that you stay calm when your nose is bleeding, as stress can make it worse. Try breathing through your mouth and centering yourself.

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent a nosebleed, including

• Using only soft tissues
• Using a humidifier to prevent a dry nose
• Using Vaseline inside your nose

If your nosebleed doesn’t stop after trying these methods, is the result of a car accident or severe injury, or if it lasts for longer than 30 minutes, then you should seek medical attention right away. And as always, if you need more information about nosebleeds or anything else, please feel free to turn to us at Florida ENT.