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Nosebleeds (cont.)

Nosebleeds Treatment

Self-Care at Home

A small amount of bleeding from a nosebleed requires little intervention. For example, if a person with a cold or a sinus infection blows his or her nose vigorously and notices some blood in the tissue, simply avoiding forceful nose blowing, sneezing, or nose picking is usually enough to keep the bleeding from getting worse.

How to stop a nosebleed:

  • Remain calm

  • Sit up straight

  • Lean your head forward. Tilting your head back will only cause you to swallow the blood.

  • Pinch the nostrils together with your thumb and index finger for 10 minutes. Have someone time you to make sure you do not release the nostrils any earlier.

  • Spit out any blood in your mouth. Swallowing it may make you vomit.

What to do after the bleeding has stopped:

  • Once the bleeding has stopped, try to prevent any further irritation to the nose, such as sneezing, nose blowing, or straining for 24 hours.

  • Ice packs do not help.

  • Exposure to dry air, such as in a heated home in the winter, can contribute to the problem. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier or vaporizer will help keep the nose from drying out and triggering more bleeding. Another option is to place a pan filled with water near a heat source, such as a radiator, which allows the water to evaporate and adds moisture to the air.


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