What should you know about severe nosebleed?

Nosebleeds start when delicate blood vessels inside the nose break. Dry air, nose picking, forceful blowing, irritation from a cold or allergic rhinitis, and inflammation from sinusitis can contribute. Blood pressure problems or medicines that affect clotting may make bleeding harder to control, but a nosebleed does not by itself identify its cause. Recurrent episodes, bleeding from one side, easy bruising, or bleeding elsewhere should be discussed with a clinician.

Sit upright, lean slightly forward, and breathe through your mouth. Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly between finger and thumb and keep continuous pressure without checking repeatedly. Spit out blood rather than swallowing it. A cool compress over the nose may feel helpful. Do not lie flat, tilt your head back, blow your nose, pick inside it, or pack it with tissues. After it stops, avoid heavy exertion and hot drinks for a while, and do not blow your nose forcefully.

Seek urgent help if bleeding is heavy, follows a significant head or facial injury, causes dizziness, faintness, breathing difficulty, vomiting blood, or does not stop after sustained pressure. Get medical advice for frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, or if you take a medicine that affects clotting. A child who is pale, weak, or having difficulty breathing needs urgent attention.

Ask whether dryness, allergy, infection, blood pressure, or a medicine could be contributing. Tell the clinician how long bleeding lasted, which nostril was involved, how often it happens, and whether you have bruising or bleeding elsewhere.