What to do if you have a nose bleed

To stop nose bleeding, you must remain calm, tilt your head slightly forward and compress it with a cloth or your index finger and thumb.

Nose bleeding, scientifically called epistaxis, can happen due to a blow to the face, exposure to dry weather or the presence of a foreign body in the nose. However, this type of bleeding can also be a sign of changes in blood clotting.

Read too: Bloody nose: 9 main causes (and what to do)

When nose bleeding does not stop, is frequent or is accompanied by other symptoms such as headache or bleeding gums, for example, it is important that the otolaryngologist is consulted for an assessment and the most appropriate treatment is indicated, if necessary. .

How to stop nosebleeds

The step by step way to stop nose bleeding is:

1. Keep calm and breathe through the mouth;
2. Sit and tilt your head slightly forwardto prevent blood from going down into the throat and causing nausea or vomiting;
3. Pinch the soft part of the nose with the index finger and thumb, or with a cloth, for 10 to 15 minutes;
4. Relieve the pressure and check if the bleeding has stopped. If it continues, press again for another 15 minutes;
5. Putting a cold compress on your nosean ice stone or a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth, to stimulate the contraction of blood vessels and thus reduce the amount of blood;
6. Clean your nose gently and, if necessary, the mouth with a compress or a wet cloth. During cleaning, you should not apply force inside the nose, you can roll up a tissue and clean only the entrance to the nostril.

If the bleeding is very intense, blood may come out of the mouth, which is considered normal.

What not to do when you have a nose bleed

When your nose is bleeding, you should not:

• Lay your head back nor lie down, as the pressure in the veins decreases and the bleeding increases;
• Insert cotton swabs into the noseas it can cause trauma;
• Put hot water not nose;
• Blow your nose for at least 4 hours after your nose bleeds.

These measures should not be taken, as they worsen nose bleeding and do not help with healing.

When to go to the doctor

It is recommended to go to the emergency room or see a doctor when:

• The bleeding does not stop after 20-30 minutes;
• Nose bleeding occurs accompanied by headache and dizziness;
• Bleeding from the nose occurs at the same time as bleeding from the eyes and ears;
• Bleeding occurs after a road accident;
• Use anticoagulants, such as Warfarin or Aspirin.

Generally, nosebleeds are not a serious condition and can rarely lead to more serious problems. However, in these cases, you should call an ambulance by calling 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.