Nose Bleeding First Aid Advice & Causes

A nosebleed, medically known as epistaxis, is a common occurrence that can happen to anyone, of any age. It is usually not a cause for alarm, but it is important to be familiar with the symptoms and first aid advice in case of a nosebleed.

There are two types of nosebleeds – anterior and posterior. Anterior nosebleeds occur when the blood vessels located on the front of the nose break and bleed. Posterior nosebleeds occur when the blood vessels located on the back of the nose break and bleed.

The inside of the nose is easily damaged, and most nosebleeds start there. The NHS lists picking your nose, blowing it too hard, and the inside of the nose becoming too dry — often after a change in air temperature — as the usual causes. The septum, the wall that separates your nostrils, is the most common site.

Nosebleeds that come from deeper inside the nose usually affect adults and are more likely to need medical attention. Those can be caused by an injury or a broken nose, by conditions that affect the blood vessels or the way blood clots, and by certain medicines such as warfarin. Sometimes no cause is ever found.

Some people get nosebleeds more often than others, including children, adults over 45, pregnant women, and people with high blood pressure.

In general, nosebleeds can be treated at home without a doctor’s care; this is especially true for anterior nosebleeds. For posterior nosebleeds, it is always best to consult a doctor because they are often the result of a nose injury or nose surgery.

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Last reviewed: September 2026 — checked against Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025.

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First Aid for nosebleeds:

1. Sit or stand in an upright position. Sitting with your head down tends to cause blood from the nosebleed to run towards your throat and your stomach, which makes it more difficult to control the bleeding.
2. Lean forward with your head tilted forward and your mouth open. Leaning forward does not trap the blood in your nose — it lets blood drain out of the nostrils instead of running back down your throat, where swallowing it can make you feel sick or vomit.
3. Pinch the soft part of your nose, just above the nostrils, firmly between your thumb and index finger. Hold it for 10 to 15 minutes without letting go to check, because releasing the pressure lets the clot break down and the bleeding start again.
4. Breathe through your mouth while you are pinching.
5. Holding an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, on the top of the nose may help reduce the blood flow, although the NHS notes the evidence for it is not strong. It is an optional extra alongside the pinching, not a replacement for it, and it should never delay applying pressure.
6. If the bleeding has not stopped after 10 to 15 minutes of continuous pressure, go to A&E. Do not keep repeating cycles of pressure and waiting.
7. Nosebleeds can recur, so it is worth knowing the steps in advance — but a nosebleed that keeps coming back needs to be looked at by a GP rather than simply managed again at home.

When to go to A&E

NHS advice is to get emergency care if you have a nosebleed and any of the following apply:

• the nosebleed lasts longer than 10 to 15 minutes
• the bleeding seems excessive
• you are swallowing a large amount of blood, enough to make you vomit
• the bleeding started after a blow to the head
• you feel weak or dizzy
• you are having difficulty breathing

Do not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone else to drive you, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance, and take any medicines you are on with you.

Call 999 straight away if the person becomes unresponsive at any point. Under Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 you call 999 for any unresponsive person before you assess their breathing — put your phone on speaker so your hands are free, and the ambulance call handler will guide you.

When to see a GP

Make a GP appointment if:

• a child under 2 years old has had a nosebleed
• you get nosebleeds regularly
• you have symptoms of anaemia, such as palpitations, breathlessness or skin that is paler than normal for you
• you have a nosebleed and you take a medicine that helps prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
• you have a condition that stops your blood clotting properly, such as haemophilia

What treatment you might be given

If a doctor can see where the blood is coming from, they may cauterise the spot using a stick with a chemical on it, pushed into the nostril to seal the area. If that is not possible, they may pack the nose with ribbon gauze or a sponge, which can mean staying in hospital for a day or two. Once the bleeding has stopped you may be prescribed an antiseptic cream to stop crusting and scabbing — check the ingredients first, as some are unsuitable if you have a peanut or soya allergy.

After a nosebleed stops

For the first 24 hours after a nosebleed, the NHS advises that you try not to:

• blow your nose
• pick your nose or pick at any scabs
• drink hot drinks or alcohol
• do any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise
• lie down flat

Some things that you can do to prevent nosebleeds include:

1. Keeping your nose moisturised by using a saline nasal spray or gel
2. Avoiding picking or blowing your nose forcefully
3. Using a humidifier in winter months, when heated indoor air dries the nose out
4. Keeping on top of high blood pressure, and mentioning any anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicine to your GP if nosebleeds become frequent

If nosebleeds are a regular recurrence or you have any questions about nosebleeds, seek medical attention. This article follows current NHS guidance on nosebleeds and Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025.

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