How to Stop Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds, also known as nosebleeds, are common medical conditions that can occur spontaneously. This condition occurs when the nasal cavity is painful or dry. Damage to the small blood vessels in the nasal cavity causes bleeding. Most nosebleeds originate in the blood vessels of the nasal septum, the inner middle tissue that separates the two nasal cavities. Nosebleeds occur frequently in patients with nasal allergies, sinusitis, high blood pressure, or blood disorders. ^{[1] X Research sources Purkey MR, Seeskin Z, Chandra R. Seasonal variation and predictors of epistaxis. Laryngoscope. 2014; 24(9):2028-2033.} If you know the causes and treatment methods when you have a runny nose, you will have more experience to cure this disease.

Table of Contents

Performing First Aid During Nosebleeds

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Adjust body posture. If your condition is not very worrisome, you can perform first aid at home to stop bleeding in the nose. To start, sit down slowly because this position will make you more comfortable than standing up. Tilt your head slightly forward so that the blood in your nose will automatically dry out.

You can place a towel under your nose to absorb the blood.
Do not lie down because this position will cause blood to go down the throat area and cause you to swallow blood.

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Squeeze your nose. Use the index finger and thumb to pinch the bottom of the nose so that the nostrils are completely closed. This first aid will apply direct force to the area with the damaged blood vessel. This is considered an effective method, helping the blood vessels in the nose to clot and stop bleeding. Squeeze the nose firmly for 10 minutes and then release.

If bleeding continues, continue applying pressure to the nose for the next 10 minutes.
When performing first aid with this method, actively breathe through your mouth.

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Cooling and cooling the body. Lowering body temperature will help reduce blood flow to the nose. To do this, you should hold a few ice cubes in your mouth. This will help your body cool down faster than cooling the outside of the bridge of the nose. Moreover, the body will maintain this temperature longer.

This method is considered more effective than applying cold on the bridge of the nose. According to a recent health study, cold compresses on the nose do not really bring the results you expect.
You can suck on an ice cream stick to see similar results. ^{[2] X Research Resources Porter M, Marais J, Tpley N. The effect of ice packs upon nasal mucosal blood flow. Acta Otparyngp1991;111:1122-1125.}

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Use a decongestant spray. If you have nosebleeds but not often and you don’t have high blood pressure problems, try a decongestant spray. This medicine constricts the blood vessels in the nasal cavity. To use this medicine, you should prepare a clean cotton ball or gauze bandage, and then put about 1-2 drops of the spray on it. Insert a cotton ball into the nostrils, continue to squeeze the nose, and after 10 minutes, try to check if the nose is still bleeding. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If the bleeding has stopped, you should still leave the cotton ball or gauze in place for an hour because you could still have the nosebleed again.
Using the nasal spray regularly (about every 3 to 4 days) can cause addiction and nasal congestion. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Therefore, this spray should only be used when the nosebleed is still flowing even though you have squeezed your nose for the first 10 minutes.

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Rinse your nose and rest. Once the nosebleed has stopped, you should rinse the area around your nose with warm water. After you’ve washed your face, rest for a while. This will help prevent further nosebleeds.

You should lie on your stomach when relaxing.

Long-term prevention of Nosebleeds

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Be gentle with the nose. Personal activities can also cause nosebleeds, so some of the following precautions will help you avoid this in the future. Avoid picking your nose as this can damage the sensitive blood vessels inside the nose. In addition, nose picking also breaks up blood clots that are covering previously damaged blood vessels and is the cause of more nosebleeds. When you sneeze, you should open your mouth to prevent air from being pushed out of your nose.

It is recommended to keep the area inside the nasal cavity moist by gently rubbing a safe layer of grease or gel inside the nasal cavity with cotton swabs twice a day. ^{[5] X Research Resources Porter M, Marais J, Tpley N. The effect of ice packs upon nasal mucosal blood flow. Acta Otparyngp1991;111:1122-1125.}
Gently blow your nose and do it from one nostril to the other.
You should trim your child’s nails to prevent further nosebleeds.

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Invest in a humidifier. To increase the humidity of the environment you live in, consider buying a humidifier. Of course, you can put this machine at home or at work to deal with the dryness, especially in winter.

If you don’t have a humidifier, place a metal misting can in the heater to increase moisture in the air.

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Absorb more fiber. Constipation is the cause of difficult bowel movements, clotted stools, which lead to nosebleeds because the blood vessels are stretched. This disease can even increase arterial pressure in an instant and dislodge blood clots, causing more nosebleeds. Constipation can be prevented by eating foods rich in fiber and increasing water intake.

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Eating more fiber will help soften stools. During defecation, do not strain because this action will increase cerebral artery pressure, thereby increasing the risk of rupture of sensitive blood vessels inside the nasal cavity ^{[6] X Research Source Ternent CA, Bastawrous AL, Morin NA , Ellis CN, Hyman NH, Buie WD, Standards Practice Task Force of The American Society of Cpon and Rectal Surgeons. Practice parameters for the evaluation and management of constipation. Dis Cpon Rectum. 2007;50(12):2013-2022.}

Eating about 6-12 prunes a day is considered a more effective method than adding fiber in vegetables. And you can also apply this way to prevent constipation. ^{[7] X Research Sources Attaluri A, Donahoe R, Valestin J, Brown K, Rao SS. Randomised clinical trial: dried plums (prunes) vs. psyllium for constipation. Aliment Pharmacp Ther. 2011;33(7):822-828.}
Say no to hot and spicy foods. High body temperature will dilate blood vessels and cause nosebleeds. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Learn more about Nosebleeds

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Realize that nosebleeds come in many forms. And these patterns depend on which part of the nose the blood comes from. Nosebleeds may flow in the area in front of the nose. Or you may experience bleeding inside the nasal cavity. Nosebleeds can happen naturally without any particular reason. ^{[13] X Research Sources Rudmik L, Smith TL. Management of intractable spontaneous epistaxis. Am J Rhinp Allergy. 2012;26(1):55–60.}

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Find the reason. There are many causes of nosebleeds. When this happens, you should find out why you have nosebleeds and find ways to prevent it from happening again in the future. You can get nosebleeds from injury to yourself, and most often as a result of picking your nose. And this phenomenon is common in children. Other causes can be drug and substance abuse, such as cocaine, blood vessel disorders, blood clotting disorders, and head or face injuries.

Environmental agents, such as low humidity, which are most common in winter, can lead to mucosal irritation and bleeding. The number of people suffering from this disease usually increases when the weather becomes colder.
Infection of the nose and nasal cavity is also a cause of nosebleeds. In addition, allergies also irritate the mucous membranes and lead to nosebleeds.
In some special cases, migraine in children is also considered a cause. ^{[14] X Research Sources Jarjour IT, Jarjour LK. Migraine and recurrent epistaxis in children. Pediatr Neurop. 2005;33(2):94-97.}
Lesions on the face also lead to the appearance of nosebleeds.

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Avoid certain situations. If you have a nosebleed, it is best to stay away from circumstances and influences that make the condition worse. Absolutely do not lean back because this position will cause blood to run down the throat, making you want to vomit. You should also limit talking and coughing as this will irritate the lining of the nose, leading to the nosebleed again.

If you want to sneeze while your nose is still bleeding, you should try to sneeze through your mouth to avoid further pain or bleeding.
Do not blow or pick your nose, especially when the amount of nosebleed has decreased. You can dislodge the clot and make your nose bleed again.

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Consult your doctor. There are a few situations where you should see a doctor. If bleeding becomes severe, heavy, lasts more than 30 minutes, and comes back frequently, you should consult your doctor. ^{[15] X Research Source} Consider getting treatment if you look pale, appear tired, or look disoriented. This condition can be the result of severe blood loss.

If you have trouble breathing, especially as blood flows down your throat, you should see your doctor. This can lead to an itchy throat and cough. If left for a long time, it can increase the risk of infection and even cause respiratory diseases.
See your doctor if your nosebleed is caused by a severe wound. ^{[16] X Research Source}
Consult your doctor if you experience nosebleeds while taking a blood-clotting medicine, such as the anticoagulant warfarin, the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel, or daily aspirin. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Advice

In India, it is customary to put ghee (dairy butter) inside the nasal cavity and the bleeding will stop immediately. This type of buttermilk can be found at the grocery store or large supermarket.
You should not smoke when you have a nosebleed. Smoking causes itching and dryness of the nasal cavity.
Disinfectant cream should not be used as some people will be sensitive to it and worsen rhinitis. Only antibiotic ointments prescribed by a doctor should be used to minimize infection.
Stay calm no matter how severe the bleeding is. Your composure will keep you from acting eccentric.
Remember to increase moisture, have a healthy diet, and don’t put your hands around the nose area!
Don’t panic if you see so much bleeding that it makes you feel like the bleeding is more than it really is. In fact, that includes other fluids on your nose. We have a lot of blood vessels on our noses!
Don’t act weird or walk around. Instead, breathe through your mouth and stay calm. This way, your heart rate will lower and reduce the amount of blood escaping.

Steps

Performing First Aid During Nosebleeds

Long-term prevention of Nosebleeds

Learn more about Nosebleeds

Advice

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