4 Ways to Stop Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds. They tend to occur at the most inopportune moments, and the sudden gushing of blood from your face can be both embarrassing and frightening, especially since a small amount can seem like gallons when it’s soaking tissue after tissue with crimson. Don’t panic. Usually you can halt a nosebleed – and save face – in a matter of minutes and take care of your nosebleed before it gets out of hand.

1. Pinch a Nosebleed

The simplest remedy for a bloody nose is the time-honoured pinch cure. Sit up straight with your head tilted slightly forward (to keep the blood from running down your throat). Gently blow out any clots that could prevent a vessel from sealing. Then pinch the soft part of your nose and press firmly toward your face. Hold that position for at least 10 minutes.

2. Put Pressure on Your Nosebleed

Still dripping? Wad up a small piece of tissue or gauze, then stick it between your gums and upper lip in the area right under your nose. Leave it there for 5 to 10 minutes. The tissue puts pressure on the blood vessels that are sending blood to your nose. There are countless versions of this remedy – pouring vinegar, witch hazel, or lemon juice on the tissue; using a small square of brown paper from a bag sprinkled with salt; even placing a dime or a small, flat button under your upper lip instead of a tissue.

3. Apply an Ice Pack

Applying a cold ice pack alongside the bleeding nostril will narrow the blood vessels in the nose to slow the spurting. This will keep your bleeding nostril under control and soon bring it to a halt altogether.

4. Nasal Medications

If your nose still doesn’t stop dripping, sniff some nasal spray, such as Afrin or Neo-Synephrine. Like ice, it will constrict the vessels in your nose, stanching the flow of blood.