Nosebleeds or epistaxis is simply bleeding from the blood vessels in the nose. They are very common as your nose and face have a large number of blood vessels present all over.
Most nosebleeds are caused by nasal injuries, allergies, infection or trauma. Since blood vessels are very vulnerable to the risk of being injured or cracked easily, leading to minor bleeding from the nose.
So here are a few tips to help you stop nosebleeds immediately in case you’re not able to go to a healthcare professional:
1. Lean or tilt your head forward
Whenever your nose starts bleeding, you should simply lean forward slightly with the head tilted forward.
This simple exercise allows the blood to flow out of your body, instead of allowing backflow of expelled blood and possibly risking gagging or inhalation of blood.
If you have any blood collecting in your mouth or throat, you should immediately spit it out. You don’t want to risk encountering diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting with this.
Lastly, blow your nose gently so that you remove the blood clots from inside. You might notice the flow of blood increases when you do this, but it is expected.
2. Pinch your nose softly
With the thumb and index finger, pinch the soft parts of your nose. Be firm but not harsh since that might lead to increased bleeding.
Then compress the pinched parts against the bones of your face with a firm hand; remember to breathe through your mouth when you do this.
3. Hold your nose
Keep holding your nose till the bleeding stops. If the bleeding does not cease, make sure you repeat the steps 1 & 2 again till your nosebleed stops.
4. Stay quiet & relaxed
Make sure you stay calm and relaxed always. Increase in blood pressure may cause an increase in blood flow from the injury.
Your head should always be higher than the level of your heart and do not put your head between your legs or lay flat on a surface to stop nosebleeds
5. Apply ice
Wrap some ice cubes in a towel and softly sponge your face with the cold towel. Make sure you apply it all over your nose and cheeks gently.
6. Try nasal sprays
In case you don’t have high blood pressure, you could use congestion and minor bleeding nasal sprays like Afrin, Neofrin, Neo-Synephrine or Duravent.
Repetitive use of nasal sprays should be avoided as they may worsen your nosebleeds and congestion.
These remedies are applicable for minor nasal bleedings only. In case you have severe nosebleeds, you should consult a healthcare professional to get help for those. Extra care has to be taken after a nosebleed occurs, as the individual should not strain themselves and be cautious of their diet for some time after.
The key thing to remember is to not insert any objects like tissues or cotton in your nose when it happens since that might worsen the bleeding.