Nosebleed: How to Stop It, and When to Go to the ER
Sit up, lean forward, and pinch the soft part of your nose for a full 10–15 minutes without letting go. Most nosebleeds stop this way.
Don't tilt your head back. Go to the ER if bleeding lasts longer than 10–15 minutes despite pressure, is heavy, makes you vomit blood, started after a blow to the head, comes with weakness, dizziness or breathlessness, or won't stop while you're on blood thinners. Urgent care and the ER at Emergency Plus in Dabouq are open 24/7.
With the first cold weather in Amman, heaters go on, windows stay shut and the air indoors dries out. That's nosebleed season: a child wakes up with blood on the pillow, or a nosebleed starts out of nowhere at work. It looks alarming, but most nosebleeds aren't serious and stop at home if you know the right technique — and many people do exactly the opposite. This guide explains how to stop a nosebleed, why they're more common in winter, and when one needs a doctor or the ER.
How to stop a nosebleed the right way
According to the NHS and MedlinePlus, the steps are simple, but the secret is patience:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Sit up and lean forward | Tilt your head back (blood runs down your throat and can make you sick) |
| Pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils | Pinch the bony bridge between the eyes |
| Keep pressing for a full 10–15 minutes by the clock | Let go every minute to check |
| Breathe through your mouth and spit out blood | Swallow the blood |
| Rest quietly for the next day | Blow or pick your nose, bend down, lift heavy things or drink very hot drinks |
If the bleeding starts again when you let go, repeat the pressure for another 10–15 minutes. The NHS notes that a cold pack on the top of the nose may reduce blood flow, but the evidence that it works isn't strong.
When does a nosebleed need the ER?
Call 911 for
- Heavy bleeding with fainting, marked paleness or a cold sweat.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Bleeding after a serious head or face injury with drowsiness, confusion or vomiting.
Go to the ER / come in now
- Bleeding that continues after 10–15 minutes of steady, correct pressure (MedlinePlus says 20).
- Bleeding that is heavy, or you're swallowing so much blood that you vomit.
- It started after a blow to the head.
- You feel weak or dizzy.
- You take blood thinners (such as warfarin) or have a clotting disorder, and it won't stop.
Urgent care or a doctor soon
- A nosebleed in a child under 2.
- Frequent nosebleeds, or nosebleeds with easy bruising.
- Signs of anaemia: a racing heartbeat, breathlessness or pale skin.
- Bleeding after a knock to the nose with swelling or a crooked nose — possible broken nose.
Home care is usually fine
- A light bleed from one nostril that stops with pressure within 15 minutes.
- An occasional nosebleed with a cold or dry air, and no other symptoms.
If the bleed followed a blow to the head, also read our guide to head injuries in adults and concussion signs.
Why nosebleeds are more common in winter
Just inside the front of the nose is a network of tiny blood vessels close to the surface. The NHS lists a dried-out nasal lining, for example from a change in air temperature, among the most common causes, along with picking and blowing too hard. In winter, cold dry air outside meets dry heater air inside, and with colds and constant nose-blowing the lining cracks and bleeds. Some people are more prone: children, adults over 45, pregnant women and people with high blood pressure.
How to prevent them
- Saline nasal spray, and a water-based nasal gel just inside the nostrils at bedtime (per MedlinePlus).
- A humidifier, or a bowl of water near the heater, and air the room regularly.
- Gentle nose-blowing; keep children's nails short and discourage picking.
- Don't sleep with a heater burning in a closed room — that also matters to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Nosebleeds, blood pressure and blood thinners
MedlinePlus notes that repeated nosebleeds can be a sign of another condition such as high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder, and that blood thinners such as warfarin, clopidogrel and aspirin can cause or worsen them. Don't stop a blood thinner on your own; talk to your doctor. If you check your blood pressure during a nosebleed and it's very high, our guide to high blood pressure and when it's an emergency explains what to do.
What happens when you come in
The team first checks your pulse, blood pressure and how much you're bleeding, then the doctor examines the nose to find where the bleeding is coming from and stop it, or arrange the next step. Bleeding from deeper inside the nose, which is more common in adults, may need follow-up with an ear, nose and throat specialist. For a nosebleed that won't stop but isn't heavy, urgent care sees walk-ins 24/7; for heavy bleeding, dizziness or bleeding after an injury, come to the emergency department. If you're unsure, our guide to ER vs urgent care explains the difference.
Nosebleed that won't stop?
If bleeding continues after 15 minutes of pressure, or is heavy, don't drive yourself; get someone to take you or call 911. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7: emergency and walk-in urgent care, with an Arabic and English speaking team.
Call us 24/7: +962 79 247 1313Sources
- NHS — Nosebleed
- MedlinePlus — Nosebleed
- AAO-HNS — Clinical practice guideline: Nosebleed (epistaxis)
- NHS — High blood pressure
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.