How to Stop a Nosebleed: These Methods Help

How can nosebleeds be stopped? We have compiled the best first aid measures to help you get better quickly.

Stop nosebleeds: By first aid

If you want to stop nosebleeds, try these tips first:

• Sit up straight to reduce the blood flow in your head. Bend your head forward and down so that your chin is almost on your chest. A bowl on the lap can catch the blood.
• Place a cooling cloth on the back of your neck – this causes the blood vessels in your nose to contract.
• In case of strong blood flow: squeeze the nostrils firmly together for a few minutes. If the bleeding does not subside, the grip can be repeated.

It does not matter whether the blood flows from only one nostril or from both. If the nosebleed does not stop, the doctor should be consulted. This also applies if bleeding occurs frequently for unknown reasons.

You should NOT do that!

There are also no-go’s for nosebleeds, with which you can increase the symptoms. These include:

• Put your head back: Contrary to popular belief, under no circumstances should the head be placed in the neck. Thus, on the one hand, the blood runs down the throat through the oesophagus into the stomach, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. On the other hand, the blood can even enter the respiratory tract – this can be very dangerous, especially if the person concerned is unconscious.
• Stuff handkerchief in the nose: In films or series, heroes often stuff handkerchiefs or cotton wool up their nose when their noses bleed. You shouldn’t do that – it only opens up the wounds again.
• Blow: When the nosebleeds stop, avoid blowing immediately. This can cause the symptoms to start all over again.

What actually causes nosebleeds?

Basically, nosebleeds occur when the fine and sensitive vessels of the nasal mucous membrane are damaged. Since the mucous membrane is strongly supplied with blood, even tiny injuries can cause nosebleeds. In most cases the phenomenon is therefore harmless – it can occur, for example, due to an irritated nasal mucous membrane or due to a fall on the nose. However, if nosebleeds occur repeatedly without a recognisable cause, it can also be a symptom of a more serious illness. The following causes can cause nosebleeds:

• Strong sneezing or blowing your nose
• Irritated or inflamed nasal mucous membrane
• Nasal mucous membrane malformation
• Thump or fall on the nose
• Foreign body stuck in the nose
• Nose Drilling
• Hole in the nasal septum (occurs, for example, during operations or due to a vascular disease)

If the nosebleed is only a symptom, the following diseases can be the cause:

• Flu
• Measles
• Common cold
• Vascular or circulatory diseases
• High blood pressure
• Various autoimmune diseases, e.g. haemophilia (disease of the blood)
• Leukaemia

Various drugs can also cause nosebleeds as a side effect. In children, a growth spurt can also lead to frequent nosebleeds because the nasal mucous membrane vessels tear more easily.