A nosebleed is one of your face’s least attractive bodily actions. The nose has many small blood vessels that help keep the nasal passages warm and humidify the air you breathe. Nosebleeds usually occur from a minor irritation to these blood vessels, such as dry air or forceful nose-blowing…or nose picking (another attractive action). Nosebleeds are rarely life-threatening, but what a mess! Here’s the right way to stop one fast…
Grab a cotton ball (or a tissue) and, if you can, soak it in white vinegar or witch hazel— both are astringents that’ll tighten pores and help stop the bleeding. Block the bleeding nostril with the cotton or the tissue. Then lean forward slightly and, using your thumb and index finger, gently squeeze together your nostrils for at least five minutes. This practice is preferable to tilting your head back, which can cause blood to flow down your throat. Yuck!
If there’s still a slight dribble after the nostril pinch, raise your arms in the air to divert the blood flow. Or raise the arm that’s on the same side as your bleeding nostril. Hold the arm stiff, put your upraised hand against a wall, then lean on the wall for stability.
Caution: If blood is flowing from both nostrils or is heavy and cannot be stopped with the above actions, it may be a sign of a serious disorder. Seek professional medical help immediately.
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