Home Remedies: 4 steps to stop a nosebleed

• By

  Dana Sparks

  September 26, 2018

Most nosebleeds aren’t serious and will stop on their own or by following self-care steps.

Seek emergency medical care if nosebleeds:

• Follow an injury, such as a car accident
• Involve a greater than expected amount of blood
• Interfere with breathing
• Last longer than 30 minutes even with compression
• Occur in children younger than age 2

Don’t drive yourself to an emergency room if you’re losing a lot of blood. Call 911 or your local emergency number or have someone drive you.

Talk to your health care provider if you’re having frequent nosebleeds, even if you can stop them fairly easily. It’s important to determine the cause of frequent nosebleeds.

Self-care steps for occasional nosebleeds include:

• Sit upright and lean forward.
  By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages further bleeding. Sitting forward will help you avoid swallowing blood, which can irritate your stomach.
• Gently blow your nose to clear out any clotted blood. Spray a nasal decongestant in the nose.
• Pinch your nose.
  Use your thumb and index finger to pinch both nostrils shut, even if only one side is bleeding. Breathe through your mouth. Continue to pinch for five to 10 minutes. This maneuver puts pressure on the bleeding point on the nasal septum and often stops the flow of blood.
• Repeat.
  If the bleeding doesn’t stop, repeat these steps for up to a total of 15 minutes.

After the bleeding has stopped, to keep it from starting again, don’t pick or blow your nose and don’t bend down for several hours. Keep your head higher than the level of your heart.

Tips to help prevent nosebleeds include:

• Keeping the lining of the nose moist.
  Especially during colder months when air is dry, apply a thin, light coating of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, Neosporin) with a cotton swab three times a day. Saline nasal spray also can help moisten dry nasal membranes.
• Trimming your child’s fingernails.
  Keeping fingernails short helps discourage nose picking.
• Using a humidifier.
  A humidifier will counteract the effects of dry air by adding moisture to the air.

This article is written by Mayo Clinic staff. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.

Related articles

Mayo Clinic Minute: How heat affects medication

Finding ways to keep your body cool during extremely high temperatures is important, and so is ensuring your medications aren’t exposed to extreme heat.
Scott Hall, a Mayo …

By Deb Balzer • July 14, 2023

Understanding effects of heat on mental health

A heat wave is affecting parts of the U. S., including much of the Southwest, through the Southeast and parts of Europe. When temperatures soar, the …

By Deb Balzer • July 13, 2023

Mayo Clinic Minute: Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Extreme heat continues to cause issues across the country and the globe. Excessive heat warnings are out in many areas, including the Phoenix area where …

By Jason Howland • July 12, 2023

8 Most Effective Home Remedies for Nose Bleeding

Nose bleeding is also known as Epistaxis. It is a common problem for someone people. But, those who experience it frequently, get irritated by it. At the very least, it is an alarming symptom indicating something is quite wrong. The sight of blood dripping down your nose can shock.

Fortunately, there are a lot of home remedies that can help you with a nosebleed. Also, before that, you need to that there two types of nose bleeds. One is anterior nose bleed and, another, posterior nose bleed.

Anterior nose bleed happens when the blood vessels in the front part tend to rupture. Whereas, the posterior nose bleed occurs when the blood vessels that are slightly closer to the throat get ruptured. The bleeding, in this case, may continue up to 20 minutes.

Anterior nose bleeding is common and can be cured with home remedies. On the other hand, posterior nose bleeding requires medical attention. So, if you are suffering from nose bleeding, by the end of the blog, you’ll learn about the home remedies and fix it right away. We are also sharing what causes nose bleeding in the first place.

Also Read: How To Get Rid Of A Stuffy Nose Instantly?

Table of Contents

Causes of Nose Bleeding

The nose is packed with tiny blood vessels and is one of the sensitive parts of the body. When these vessels experience disruptions, blood tends to start flowing from the nostrils. Know the common reasons that may inflict nose bleeding.

• Dry, heated indoor air
• Living conditions such as dry, hot, low-humidity climate
• Upper respiratory infections
• Harsh nose picking or nose blowing
• Injury in the nose or face
• Allergic reactions
• Excessive usage of nasal sprays
• Inserting foreign objects in the nose
• Blood thinners
• Chemical irritants

How To Stop Nose Bleeding? 

Here are the steps to stop a bloody nose-

• Be calm

It is normal to get anxious when you see blood from the nose. But don’t worry as this is fatal in nature.

• Lean forward

Lean forward to slow down the blood flow. If blood gets inside the mouth, spit it out and do not swallow.

• Sit upright

Make sure you do not tilt the head back or lie flat. Or else, you can choke on your own blood. 

• Apply a spray

You can spray a decongestant inside the nose through the nostril which is bleeding. 

Avoid putting something inside the nose including tissues when it is bleeding. This can make the bleeding worse. 

• Pinch the nose

Pinch that side of the nostril which is bleeding for 10 minutes. Keep a track of time to ensure that you don’t open it to check continuously.

• Observe and react

After 10 minutes, if the bleeding continues, pack it with cotton ball with a nasal spray. Keep the packing for 10 minutes. 

When blood pressure is elevated, it tends to cause nose bleeding.  

• Do not blow

Avoid blowing the nose for two days of the nose bleeding. 

• Avoid exertion 

To fully heal the nose bleed, it can take up to 2 full weeks. Avoid lifting heavy weights or strenous activities such as exercising.

Tips That Can Treat Nose Bleeding At Home

1. Use a cold compress

The most effective remedy for nose bleeding is cold compress. Holding a cold compress against your nose for a few minutes can help constrict the tiny blood vessels in your nose that are bleeding. The coldness will support the nose’s interior blood vessels to narrow.

2. Pinch the nose

The best way is to pinch the nose as it sends pressure to the bleeding point helps the blood to stop flowing immediately. All you need to do is to sit straight with your head tilted slightly forward. Using your thumb and index finger, pinch the soft part of your nose. Do this for about five to 10 minutes. Make sure you are breathing from your mouth. Release the pressure and sit for some time. Repeat till the blood doesn’t stop flowing.

3. Vitamin K and Vitamin C

Vitamin K rich foods like kale, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, et al are involved in the formation of collagen that helps in creating a moist lining inside your nose. This vitamin helps keep the blood vessels in good condition preventing them from rupturing easily. For a long-term cure, loading up on vitamin K-rich foods helps a lot. Green leafy vegetables facilitate blood clotting.

Note: Vitamins C and K are long- term relievers and cannot provide immediate relief.

4. Apple cider vinegar

Another home remedy is apple cider vinegar. The acid in the vinegar helps constrict the blood vessels, thus stopping the bleeding. All you need to do is to dip a cotton ball in the vinegar and place it in the affected nostril for about five to 10 minutes. This remedy generally works in the first attempt, so give it a try.

Also Read: How to use apple cider vinegar for sinus?

5.

Saline water

Dryness during winters in the nasal membrane is one of the most common causes of nose bleeding. To solve this problem, soothe and moisturize the nasal membranes with saline water. Use a bowl, put some water to it and few drops of saline water. Mix it well and put a few drops of this solution in your nose to moisten the inner lining of the nasal passages.

6. Cayenne pepper

Cayenne works as a cell stimulant and regulates the pressure of the blood flow, which means it helps get rid of the heavy pressure from the hemorrhaging area. Take a teaspoon of cayenne powder and mix in warm water and drink up as soon as the bleeding starts. It stops the blood immediately.

7. Nettle

Nettle leaf is a herbal remedy that works well as it is a natural astringent and a hemostatic agent. It helps keep allergic nose bleeds at bay. Brew fresh nettle leaf tea and cool it down. Then, dip the cotton pad in the solution and place it on the nose. Keep it for five to 10 minutes until the bleeding stops.

8. Lots of water

Not drinking enough water in a day can also dry the mucous membranes causing nose bleeds. Make sure you load up on enough water throughout the day. For nose bleeds, you must try loading up on coriander leaves, mango blossoms, and juice of the soft kernel of a ripe mango seed.

Read More: Is nose bleeding common during pregnancy?

How To Prevent Nosebleed?

Nosebleeding is easily preventive. Here are some preventive measures that can reduce the risk of nosebleeding-

• Make sure that the nasal lining remains moist
• Ensure that the fingernails are trimmed
• Inhale moist area to prevent dryness
• Wear protective equipment while playing

Conclusion

See, if you have read this blog till this point, you must have understood how well you have to take care of yourself. If you are prone to nasal bleeding, you need to take good care as well as try more than one remedy listed here. That way, you can counter the problem faster. Besides, ignoring small problems can cause major problems, so, it is really important that you also keep your doctor on speed dial. In case you are wondering, which doctor to call, make an appointment with the best ENT doctor for you.

Also Read:

• Do Dry Nose Lead to Sinusitis?
• Structure of Nose Before and After Septoplasty- A Pictorial Representation
• 10 Home Remedies for Runny Nose and Sneezing

Stopping nosebleeds: professional treatment in Odessa

Causes

Like any other blood loss, nosebleeds are dangerous to human health. According to statistics, approximately one in ten patients in the ENT departments are hospitalized due to nosebleeds.

ENT specialists divide the causes of nosebleeds into two groups:

• local – when the problem concerns only the nose. These are bleeding that appeared due to injuries, foreign bodies entering the nasal cavity. This also includes the consequences of diseases that cause blood flow to the mucous membrane – for example, chronic rhinitis, otitis, adenoiditis. The source of hemorrhage is changes in the nasal cavity – dystrophic processes of the mucosa, significant curvature or neoplasms of the septum – both benign and malignant;
• general . All parts of our body depend on each other, and the source of the ailment is far from the sphere of activity of the doctor “ear throat nose”. Thus, SOS signals are given by various cardiovascular diseases – hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart disease, vascular anomalies, in which pressure increases; hemorrhagic diathesis, beriberi; heat and sunstroke, overheating, fever; diseases in acute stages; sudden pressure drops. Moreover, the causes may be hidden in pregnancy or puberty.

It is important to realize that any, even the smallest bleeding from the nose, is already a signal to visit an otolaryngologist, because by itself a person, without a medical education, cannot find the cause.

Symptoms

Bleeding from the nose or bleeding from the nasopharynx are the main symptoms of this condition. With massive nosebleeds, pronounced signs of blood loss appear:

• weakness;
• ringing and noise in the ears;
• dizziness;
• thirst;
• palpitations;
• pale skin and mucous membranes.

Bleeding in the “front” parts of the nose – usually not intense, the patient can stop it himself or consult a doctor.

Larger blood vessels are concentrated in the deeper parts of the nose. Such bleeding is more dangerous and requires urgent medical attention and the use of special methods.

First Aid for Nosebleeds

Stopping the bleeding is best left to a qualified, experienced otolaryngologist. The ENT doctor will determine the cause and nature of the situation, provide assistance and prescribe further treatment and examination, if necessary.

There are a number of simple steps that can be taken before a visit to the clinic to remove external manifestations, try to stop the bleeding and stabilize the person’s condition as much as possible. Self-administer first aid should only be for minor bleeding.

The victim should be seated, his head slightly tilted forward and a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide placed in the common nasal passage. A cold object applied to the bridge of the nose, for example, a bandage with ice, will help to improve the situation.

Contrary to popular popular advice, do not tilt your head back or lay a person in a prone position – in this case, bleeding may increase.

It should be noted that all these manipulations will not solve the problem, but only eliminate its external symptoms. Only an ENT during the examination will be able to determine the real cause and prescribe a competent complex treatment for a high-quality and long-term result.

Video on the topic

Methods for stopping nosebleeds

For diagnosis, the doctor takes an anamnesis, examines the patient, and stops nosebleeds. If necessary, he prescribes medication and additional examination.

It is impossible to single out one universal method applicable to all situations. The ENT will be able to choose the best way only, based on the results of the initial examination, the nature and causes of bleeding, its massiveness and side symptoms.

Based on this, the otolaryngologist chooses a certain method of stopping the blood:

• if the problem is due to damage to the vessels in the anterior parts of the nose, the doctor uses the method of anterior tamponade. A long tampon is inserted into the nasal cavity and placed in a special way – with an accordion. Do not try to carry out this manipulation at home: an incorrectly inserted tampon will exacerbate the problem. This method is performed on an outpatient basis.

In the LORIC clinic in Odessa, a modern method of tamponade is performed: painless and safer than traditional manipulation. A special tape or sponge is impregnated with an antibacterial ointment or gel to avoid the inflammatory process, and injected into the nasal cavity. After the bleeding stops, the patient can return home.

• in severe massive bleeding in the posterior sections, otolaryngologists resort to the method of posterior tamponade. The large diameter of the posterior vessels contributes to the occurrence of profuse blood loss. They almost never can stop on their own – only after qualified medical care. Posterior tamponade is a complex procedure that is performed only in a hospital setting.

Quite often people come to LORICA with recurrent bleeding – when, due to regular damage, erosions appear on the mucosa, which bleed from time to time.

To eliminate this kind of problem, another method is used – cauterization. Such therapy requires considerable experience and skill of an otolaryngologist and helps to effectively get rid of the problem in just one session. First, the doctor treats the bleeding site with an anesthetic to avoid discomfort during the procedure, and then cauterizes. As a rule, after that a specific problem is solved once and for all.

All of the above methods to stop the bleeding are accompanied by drug therapy in order not only to remove the external signs, but also to solve the essence of the problem.

Related video

Complications

Nosebleeds – an unpleasant and dangerous condition . With independent attempts to stop massive bleeding, in case of untimely access to the doctor and, as a result, a large loss of blood, serious problems can arise.

Do not risk your life even at the first symptoms – entrust the care of it to professionals, practicing ENT specialists of the LORICA clinic.

Cost of services

Stopping nosebleeds by cauterization

UAH 350

Stopping nosebleeds | Dobromed

Bleeding is an unpleasant thing, especially if it starts out of nowhere. So that it does not overtake you by surprise, study this information and remember the procedure for stopping nosebleeds. Due to the large accumulation of blood vessels in a person’s nose, sometimes even a minor blow or injury causes bleeding. How to stop nosebleeds? In some cases, it is better to immediately seek help from doctors, but in other situations, this problem is successfully solved at home. How to do this, read on.

How to deal with a nosebleed

The first step is to determine how serious the situation is. Pay attention, after which the bleeding occurred and how intense it is. It happens that the blood drips a little and stops by itself. Small bleeding can also be stopped on its own. If the bleeding is strong and accompanied by other signs (serious damage to the skin, fainting, darkening in the eyes, hysteria or increased pressure) or bleeding is complicated by chronic diseases of the blood, cardiovascular system, you must urgently call an ambulance and follow the instructions of the telephone operator before arrival doctor.

Causes of nosebleeds

Look at this list. Each of the items can cause nosebleeds.

• body overheating;
• beriberi;
• decreased blood clotting;
• weak vessels;
• trauma to the nose;
• inflammatory processes in the nasal passage;
• high blood pressure;
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• existing serious illnesses, such as: leukemia or anemia;
• decreased production of platelets in the body;
• taking medications;
• the presence of a neoplasm in the nasal passage.

What can precede nosebleeds

Occasionally, before the onset of nosebleeds, headaches, discomfort in the nasal cavity, dizziness or tinnitus occur. The presence of at least one of these signs may indicate an imminent onset of bleeding. This situation can happen to anyone, but this situation causes the most questions when it occurs in a small child, during pregnancy or at high pressure.

How to properly stop a nosebleed in young children

• to begin with, the child must be seated so that the blood can flow freely;
• Ice should be placed on the bridge of the nose, neck or forehead. If it is not there, you can take any cold product from the refrigerator. Feet at this time should be warm;
• Press the wing of the bleeding nostril against the septum for 15 seconds. During this time, the bleeding should stop;
• if the bleeding is strong, place a swab in the nostril that is moistened with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide (simply salt water will do), or use vasoconstrictor drops.

To prevent this condition, it is important for the child to be outdoors more often (in any weather). Healthy helps to strengthen vessels swimming and hardening. Periodically humidify the air in the room where the child spends most of the time. It is important that his diet is varied and contains all the necessary trace elements and vitamins. In young children, nosebleeds often cause frequent nose picking. Make sure your child doesn’t do this. If physical activity is the cause of the problem, it is necessary to review the baby’s daily routine and reduce them.

How to stop nosebleeds during pregnancy

Sit down so that it flows freely from the nasal cavity. Then follow the instructions below. First of all, close both nostrils for 15-20 seconds. If that doesn’t work, try sticking a wet swab soaked in salt water or hydrogen peroxide into your nose. Ice on the bridge of your nose helps. You can press on the upper lip and hold your finger for 20 seconds. During this time, the bleeding should stop. Otherwise, it is recommended to call a doctor.

How to stop a nosebleed with high blood pressure

As mentioned above, sometimes nosebleeds appear against the background of high blood pressure. In order to stop the flow of blood from the nose with hypertension or a sudden increase in pressure, you first need to sit down or lie down (the head should be raised). Next, insert a cotton turunda into your nose, dipping it first in hydrogen peroxide or salt water, and sit or lie down quietly for 5-10 minutes. If the problem cannot be fixed, call an ambulance.

Things that can make things worse

When trying to stop a nosebleed, several things can make things worse.

1. Do not allow blood to enter the respiratory tract. To do this, lying on the bed, raise the headboard with a high pillow. It is also not recommended to tilt your head back. Blood must be spit out.
2. When lying down, raising the legs leads to the redirection of blood towards the head, and this can provoke new bleeding from the nose. Avoid this position when bleeding stops.
3. Great anxiety and drinking tea or coffee raises blood pressure. Try to calm down and do not drink these drinks to avoid increasing the intensity of blood flow.
4. When the blood stops, a crust forms in the nose, which, like a cork, stops the bleeding. If you try to blow your nose right after that, you may bleed again. So, do not rush to blow your nose.

When to see a doctor

• when trying to stop a nosebleed, you feel a wound or some kind of damage in the nasal cavity;
• bleeding lasts more than 15 minutes and you cannot stop it;
• you have frequent nosebleeds (repeatedly within a week, for no apparent reason).

Natural remedies for stopping nosebleeds

The standard recommendations have been listed above, but you can also turn to effective traditional medicine. Try putting freshly squeezed lemon juice in your nose, a few drops in each nostril. You can dip a cotton swab in lemon juice and stick it in your nose for a few minutes. Change it if necessary. If you have nettle on hand (for example, you are in nature), squeeze the juice out of it and insert a cotton swab moistened with this juice into your nose. Some people successfully stop nosebleeds using the su-jok system. To do this, you need to bandage your thumb approximately at the level of the middle of the nail (use a bank gum or twine for this) and hold out for 10 minutes. According to the su-jok method, in this place there is a reflex zone corresponding to the nose area.

Preventive measures

Dry air can also cause nosebleeds. For example, when heating is turned on, the air in apartments and offices becomes much drier than at other times. A well-chosen humidifier, placing wet towels on batteries, spraying the room with a spray bottle, frequent airing or indoor plants will help improve the situation. When the nasal mucosa dries out, crusts can form on it. To avoid this phenomenon, try periodically instilling it with 2-3 drops of rosehip oil or sea buckthorn oil. If bleeding in your case is associated with increased vascular fragility, consult your doctor. Rutin and ascorbic acid strengthen the vessels well. With reduced blood clotting, it is recommended to drink tea from herbs (yarrow, plantain, nettle, highlander, sea buckthorn fruits and leaves). A 5–10% solution of calcium chloride helps to reduce the permeability of the walls of blood vessels. It is necessary to take it after meals, 2-3 times a day in a teaspoon. Blood can clot poorly even with a lack of vitamin K. Eat lettuce, spinach, bananas, all types of cabbage, avocados, soybeans, wheat bran, eggs, meat, olive oil and dairy products. And you will help your body cope with this problem.