To stop a nosebleed fast at home, follow these steps:
- Sit upright and lean slightly forward. This helps reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose and prevents swallowing blood, which could upset your stomach.
- Gently blow your nose to clear any clotted blood.
- Using your thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the soft part of your nose just below the bony bridge. Press both sides together against the septum (the cartilage inside your nose).
- Hold the pinch continuously for at least 10 to 15 minutes without releasing or checking if the bleeding has stopped.
- Breathe through your mouth while pinching your nose.
- If the bleeding continues after the first 15 minutes, repeat the process once more.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the bridge of your nose to help constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding.
- After bleeding stops, avoid blowing or picking your nose, bending over, or strenuous activities for several hours to prevent re-bleeding.
Additional tips:
- Keep your nasal passages moist with saline spray or apply a small amount of petroleum jelly inside your nostrils to prevent dryness.
- Use a humidifier if the air is dry.
- Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, and blood-thinning medications after a nosebleed.
Seek medical attention if:
- The bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes despite these measures.
- Bleeding is heavy or accompanied by difficulty breathing.
- Nosebleeds occur frequently or after an injury.
This approach helps quickly stop most common nosebleeds safely at home.
