Common symptoms
- Bleeding from one or both nostrils
- Blood running down the back of the throat
Common causes
- Dry air or a dry nasal lining
- Nose picking or blowing the nose hard
- Colds, allergies or sinus inflammation
- Blood-thinning medicines
- Injury to the nose
First aid
- Sit up and lean forward. Do not tilt your head back.
- Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10–15 minutes without letting go.
- Breathe through your mouth and spit out any blood.
- Afterwards, avoid blowing your nose or heavy lifting for a while.
When to see an ENT specialist
- Nosebleeds keep coming back
- They usually come from the same side
- They come with a blocked nose or other ongoing symptoms
- A child has frequent nosebleeds
Seek urgent medical care if
- Bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure
- Heavy bleeding, feeling faint, or difficulty breathing
- The nosebleed follows a head injury
How it is usually assessed
An ENT specialist will usually examine the inside of the nose to find where the bleeding comes from and look for any underlying cause.
General management
Many nosebleeds settle with first aid. For recurrent nosebleeds, a doctor may recommend moisturising treatments or seal the bleeding blood vessel (cautery), depending on the cause.
This page provides general information only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe the specific services of any doctor. Please consult a doctor about your own situation.