That Time My Nose Wouldn’t Stop Bleeding
The inside of your nose is packed with tiny, delicate blood vessels. These little guys are close to the surface and break easily, especially when the air is dry or if you’ve been blowing your nose a lot (hello, allergy season). Dry air is a big factor — winter heating, desert climates, or just not running a humidifier can leave your nasal passages parched and prone to bleeding.
Other triggers? Things like nose picking (gross but true), getting whacked in the face, or even just sneezing too hard. Fun fact: stress and high blood pressure can contribute too.
See this relatable post on Threads:
https://www.threads.com/@askdocdoc/post/DMF3WyMN0pk
Also, Pinterest had a helpful graphic about causes:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/928445279435968765
How to Actually Stop a Nosebleed (The Right Way)
Let’s get this straight: tilting your head back is wrong. I did it, you’ve probably done it, but it can cause blood to run down your throat, which feels awful and can lead to coughing or worse.
Here’s what helps instead:
Sit up straight, lean forward slightly
Pinch the soft part of your nose shut (just below the bony bridge)
Breathe through your mouth, hold the pinch for at least 10 minutes
Apply a cold compress to the bridge of your nose
Here’s a clear breakdown on AskDocDoc:
https://askdocdoc.com/articles/713-how-to-stop-nose-bleeding-causes-remedies--emergency-care
A helpful visual on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMF3W3gIsmD/
When It’s Time to Worry
Most nosebleeds aren’t dangerous, but there are definitely times to get things checked out. If it’s happening a lot, or lasting more than 20 minutes, it could be a sign of something deeper going on — like high blood pressure, clotting issues, or even nasal polyps.
Doctors chatting about this on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/AskDoctors24/status/1944766665557766549
LinkedIn had a good post about common mistakes:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/askdocdoc_most-nosebleeds-are-harmless-but-incorrect-activity-7350532520137928704-vSXZ
If this keeps happening to you, this Facebook post shares prevention tips:
https://www.facebook.com/122099392514743210/posts/122132891252743210