A nosebleed means you have blood coming out of one or both nostrils. You may taste blood in your mouth. That’s because your nose and mouth are connected.
Blood is coming out of one or both nostrils. You can get a nosebleed for several reasons, such as:
- A blow to your nose.
- Picking your nose.
- Something being stuck in your nose. This could be something small, like a bead or a stone.
- A cold or a dry nose.
- Ageing. Older people have thinner blood vessels.
- A broken blood vessel.
- Taking blood thinners combined with a broken blood vessel. Blood thinners will make the blood thinner and flow faster. This could mean it will take longer for the bleeding to stop.
- Not using nasal spray properly or using it for too long.
- Find a quiet place to sit down.
- Blow your nose into a tissue. Start off with blowing your nose well, but do so carefully.
- Pinch your nose with your thumb and index finger for about five minutes. Lean forward slightly, making sure the blood doesn’t get into your throat. Otherwise you may start to feel nauseous.
- Breathe calmly.
- Keep pinching your nose for at least five minutes.
Pinch your nose for another five minutes if the bleeding doesn’t stop after the first time.
- Contact your GP if the nosebleed doesn’t stop after pinching your nose for at least five minutes for a second time.
- If you’re taking blood thinners.
- If you have frequent nosebleeds. You didn’t pick your nose beforehand, nor did you blow your nose too hard.