How to stop a nosebleed

Pinching your nose should be the first and most obvious step to control nose bleed. However, it needs to be done properly to prevent the backflow of blood into the throat or brain. Here is the right way to do it:

Procedure:

• Sit up straight with your head slightly tilted forward and down. This makes the blood to flow out through nostrils instead of going into your mouth.
• In case blood runs back and comes to your mouth, do not swallow it. Swallowed blood can cause irritation nausea and vomiting; spit it out instead
• Using your thumb and finger, pinch the front soft part of your nose to close it
• Stay in this position for at least ten minutes
• Breathe with your mouth till then
• After 10 minutes, check your nose for bleeding
• If bleeding is still there, pinch your nose again for some time
• Most nose bleeds stop after 20 minutes of pinching or application of pressure
• Do not disturb your nose for at least 24 hours
• Take rest and stay at home

Along with pinching of nose, you can also take some other steps for quick and better recovery. Keep reading to know more.

Application of cold compress on the nose is a really effective way to stop bleeding. A cold compress helps in constricting blood vessels around the nose, eventually stopping them from bleeding. To apply a cold compress, follow the below-mentioned steps

• Take an ice pack and freeze it for some time
• Take it out of the freezer and put it on your nose
• Keep it like that for some time
• This will cool down your nose and area around it to stop the bleeding

In case you do not have an ice pack, you can make a cold compress at home. Here are some ideas you can use to make your own  cold compress:

• Take some peas in an airtight packet. Freeze the packet to make an ice pack.
• You can also use come coins in place of peas. Cool these coins in the fridge and collect them in an airtight packet. Use this for a cold compress.
• Another idea to make a cool pack is to take a clean diaper or sanitary pad. Add some water to these and freeze it to use as an ice pack.

Apple cider vinegar is an all-rounder home remedy, which comes handy in almost every common condition. It is also really helpful in controlling a nose bleed. Apple cider vinegar is said to have properties to constrict blood vessels. Hence, it can help in case of nose bleeding by reducing blood flow to the ruptured vessels. Moreover, it is easily available in most kitchens, so you can just grab it from your pantry in case of an emergency.

What you will need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Cotton ball
• A clean bowl
• Water

Procedure:

• Take a soft cotton ball
• Take some apple cider vinegar in a clean bowl
• Dilute it by adding some water
• Dip the cotton ball in apple cider vinegar
• Wipe the affected area with the cotton ball
• Do this for 3-5 minutes
• You will notice a reduction in bleeding intensity
• Eventually, bleeding will stop

Tip: Apple cider vinegar may cause irritation if applied directly on the skin. It is always best to dilute it with water before using.

Onion is another great remedy to reduce bleeding from nose. You can use onion extract both topically and internally to get the much-needed relief. Though all varieties of onion are known to be helpful in reducing bleeding, white onions are said to be more effective than red and yellow varieties. You can use onions in the following way to stop nose bleeding.

What you will need:

• Onion
• Strainer
• Grinder
• Cotton ball
• Knife

Procedure:

• Take a white onion and peel its upper layer using a knife
• Wash it with clean water
• Using a grinder, make onion paste
• Now, strain this paste to separate the juice
• You can now use this juice for topical application
• Dip a cotton ball in this juice and keep it on the affected area for a few minutes
• Do not apply any pressure as it may increase bleeding
• Wait for 3-4 minutes for the bleeding to stop

Alternatively, you can take onion orally to stop bleeding.

Witch hazel is an excellent remedy to stop any type of bleeding. Studies indicate that witch hazel has astringent properties, which help in contracting skin cells and tissues. Mainly the bark and leaves of witch hazel are used for therapeutic purposes. These contain active ingredients known as tannins, which when applied over a bleeding nose, promote blood vessel constriction hence putting a stop to bleeding. Now the question arises how to use witch hazel? Obviously, you don’t find witch hazel trees in your backyard. Right? Fortunately, you can buy witch hazel extracts from the market. It is available in the form of liquids, creams and various other products. Look for trusted brands and chemical free products and always make sure that you check expiry dates before you apply any cosmetic on your face or skin. 

What you will need:

• Witch hazel
• Cotton ball

Procedure:

• Take some witch hazel extract in a clean bowl
• Dip a clean cotton ball in it
• Apply witch hazel on the affected area with the cotton ball
• Do this for a few minutes
• Do not rub the affected area
• You will notice the bleeding slowing down gradually

Nettle is yet another astringent herb that could help you stop a nosebleed by constricting bleeding vessels. Though they are not as easily available in India either. So, unless you use these leaves for cooking or keep stock for various uses, It might not be as handy.

What you will need:  

• Nettle leaves
• Clean pot
• Strainer
• Gas stove
• Water
• Cotton ball

Procedure:

• Take some nettle leaves in a cleat pot
• Add some water to it
• Boil them to make a solution
• Strain this solution to remove the leaves
• Cool down this solution
• After the solution is cooled, apply it on the affected area using a cotton ball
• You can drink some of this solution as a tea. Add some sugar if required.

Note: Do not apply a warm solution of nettle leaves as it can open up blood vessels. Using a cool solution will give much quicker and better recovery.

Neti pots and nasal irrigation is a type of cleansing procedure in Ayurveda. It involves passing a saline solution through the nose to facilitate removal of excess dust and mucus from the nose and nasal sinuses. Irrigating nasal canal with a saline solution can also help in relieving allergies and infections, which can be the causative reason for bleeding nose.

What you will need:

• Saline solution
• Neti pot

Procedure:

• Fill the neti pot with the saline solution
• Lean over a sink
• Rotate your head to a side and insert the spout  of the neti pot into your upper nostril
• Raise the pot so that the solution enters your upper nostril
• The solution will come out through the lower nostril rinsing the whole nasal canal
• Breathe with your mouth will the process is going on
• When the pot is empty, remove the spout and exhale with both your nostrils to clear the left solution
• Repeat the process with the other nostril

Note: Make sure you sterilize the neti pot before and after use. Also, use clean water (preferably distilled) to avoid any other infection.

A humidifier is a device that supplies moisture in the air. Low humidity can make your nasal canal dry and create irritation. This is usually the reason for nose bleeding in dry winter and summer months. In such cases, always keep a humidifier in your room to prevent yourself from nose bleeding. But there are some precautions one should take while using it:

• Place the humidifier at a distance. Approx 2 meters is enough.
• Don't use the humidifier for long. Too much humidity for long can lead to the growth of moulds (fungi).
• Clean the humidifier daily to avoid the growth of infection-causing microbes on its surface. Also, change its water regularly.
• Try using distilled water to avoid the accumulation of minerals in the device. If these mineral particles are released in the air, they can cause breathing problems.

For additional benefits, you can also add extracts of some herbal plants with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. As these extracts heat up, they release their active compounds in the air, which help promote recovery on inhalation. 
In case you do not have a humidifier, here is a trick you can follow.

What you will need:

• Clean utensil
• Water
• Gas stove
• Herb

Procedure:

• Take some water in a clean utensil
• Boil the water
• You can add some herbs with astringent property to this boiling water
• Once water is heated enough, inhale the  steam
• Make sure to cover yourself enough to keep the steam from escaping.
• When done properly, this procedure will keep your nasal canal moist and also deliver the medicinal property of the herbal plant to your nasal mucosa.

Essential oils are loaded with active compounds that impart them with various medicinal properties.
They not only help reduce infection and inflammation, which may be the cause of a nosebleed but also they promote quick repair of breached skin and open wounds. Though not all essential oils work equally for every condition. Oils which have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties are best suited for controlling nosebleeds. One such essential oil is Cypress oil. You can also look for other oils with similar properties.

What you will need:

• Essential oil
• Water
• Clean
• Soft cloth

Procedure:

• Add some essential oil in water
• Dip a soft and clean cloth in this solution
• Apply this solution on the affected area using this cloth
• Do this for a few minutes
• Do not press or rub the area too hard
• Gradually, nose bleeding will stop

Note: Make sure to check if you have any kind of allergy or sensitivity with the essential oil. To check, apply a few drops of essential oil on some other part of the body like your wrist. Wait for a few minutes to check if there is any reaction. Go ahead and use the essential oil if there is no sensitivity or reaction.