Usually, you do not need to worry about a nosebleed (epistaxis).
Mostnosebleedsstop after a few minutes with at-home care, like pinching your nose and leaning forward.
This helps the blood clot.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
It may take longer if you have a bleeding disorder.
If you have a condition likehemophilia, which causes problems with blood clotting, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you are on blood-thinning medications, you should also seek medical help.
A few tablespoons can look like a lot.
If you are gushing blood, call 911.
If pinching does not stop the dripping, use a container to catch the blood.
If you lose about a cup of blood, you better get immediate medical attention.
Minor bumps or falls that cause a bloody nose are probably not serious.
A severe injury to the nose may swell and make breathing difficult.
You may have a broken nose, aconcussion(brain injury), or a spinal cord injury.
It is always best to seek emergency medical care after a major accident.
You Have High Blood Pressure
A bloody nose that is caused byhigh blood pressureis an emergency.
These nosebleeds happen without any particular trigger.
If you get a nosebleed and you have a history of high blood pressure, contact your healthcare provider.
These bleeds can usually be stopped with pressure.
Seek emergency care at once if you have this jot down of nosebleed.
Recurring nosebleeds can be a sign of something more serious, including high blood pressure or a clotting disorder.
Dos and Don’ts for Treating Nosebleeds
When you have a nosebleed, remain calm.
Lean forward and spit out any blood in your mouth.
If you have a nasal spray available, put three sprays into the nostril side that’s bleeding.
It also may prove more effective than ligation procedures to tie off small arteries that are bleeding.
Embolization may be necessary if no other interventions work.
Once your nose bleeding is controlled, your healthcare provider may need to address an underlying cause.
Other causes can include dehydration, or seasonal andenvironmental allergies.
Most can be stopped if you lean forward and gently pinch your nostrils.
In some cases, a bloody nose can be an emergency.
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