Belize Medical Associates

Stopping Nosebleeds

Try these simple tips to stop your nosebleed:

* Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.
* Sit or stand so your head is above your heart.
* Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 full minutes of steady pressure - don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped.
* Apply a cold compress, such as ice wrapped in a cloth or paper towel, to the area around the nose. Applying pressure with a cotton pad inside the upper lip may also help.

If you get a nosebleed, don't blow your nose. Doing so can cause additional nosebleeds. Also, don't tilt your head back. This common practice will cause blood to run into your throat. If you swallow the blood, you might throw up.

Preventing Nosebleeds

Whenever you blow your nose (especially when you have a cold), you should blow gently into a soft tissue. Don't blow forcefully or pick your nose.

Your doctor at Belize Medical Associates may recommend a humidifier, which is available at Belize Medical Associates Pharmacy to moisten your indoor air. You can also prevent your nasal passages from becoming too dry in cold months by using lubricants such as petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) before going to bed at night. Apply a pea-sized dab to a cotton swab and gently rub it up inside each nostril, especially on the middle part of the nose (called the nasal septum). Some doctors prescribe saline drops for the same purpose.

An occasional nosebleed can be alarming, but there's no need to panic - now you know what to do!