Nosebleeds: Here’s what to do

Have you ever had a nosebleed? At least 60% of us have had or will experience one in our lifetime, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Here’s what to do:

• Adjust your posture. Sit up straight but lean your head and body slightly forward. This will help prevent any blood from running down your throat.
• Take your thumb and index finger and pinch together the soft part of your nose, while continuing to breathe through your mouth. “Make sure to pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard bony ridge that forms the bridge of the nose,” the clinic says. “Squeezing at or above the bony part of the nose will not put pressure where it can help stop the bleeding.”
• Continue to pinch your nose for at least five minutes. Then, check to see if the blood flow has stopped. If not, apply pressure again and wait 10 minutes.
• After you’ve stopped the bleeding, don’t bend over, strain or lift anything heavy for a while afterward.

If you can’t get the bleeding to stop after 15-20 minutes, have someone drive you to the emergency room or call 911.

Learn more about treating a nosebleed.