​Nosebleeds causes and Self-Care  

• To reduce blood pressure and avoid swallowing blood, sit upright and lean forward.
• Use the thumb and index finger to pinch the soft part of nose (five to ten minutes) and breathe through the mouth. If bleeding doesn’t stop, hold for another ten minutes.
• Don't irritate the nose (picking at it, rubbing or blowing it) to prevent re-bleeding. Also, for the next few hours, try to keep from lowering your head.
• If your nose starts bleeding again, blow out to clear any blood clots in the nose. If you can, before pinching your nose, spray both sides of your nose with a decongestant nasal spray that contains oxymetazoline (e.g. Afrin).
• Apply a water-based lubricant to your nostrils and increase the humidity in your home to help relieve nasal bleeding.
• When to seek immediate medical care?
• If despite the self-care, the bleeding continues for more than 20 minutes.
• If the nosebleed resulted from an accident to your head.
• If you experience frequent nosebleeds.
• If you are experiencing nasal bleeding and are taking blood thinners, such as aspirin.

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This information is provided by the NGHA Content Advisory Board and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your health care provider.