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Technique

Nosebleeds

With a nosebleed, sit upright, lean the head slightly forward, pinch the soft part of the nose and keep pressing; a cold cloth on the back of the neck may also help. Do not tip the head back – blood would run into the throat and be swallowed. If it does not stop, bleeds after a blow to the head, or the person takes blood-thinning medication, get medical help. This text does not replace a first-aid course.

Difficulty
Beginner
Effort
Keep pressing continuously for several minutes
Risk level
Safety relevant
Report an error

Explained simply

A nosebleed often looks worse than it is. Usually a small vessel at the front of the nose has burst – from blowing the nose, dry air or a light knock.

This is how you help: sit upright, lean the head slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose with thumb and index finger. Breathe through the mouth and keep pressing for a while without checking. A cold, wet cloth on the back of the neck may also help.

Please do not tip the head back – then the blood runs into the throat and gets swallowed. If it does not stop, happened after a blow to the head or is bleeding very heavily, medical help is needed. This text does not replace a first-aid course.

How it works

At the front of the nasal septum, many fine blood vessels lie just under the thin mucous membrane. They burst easily, especially when the membrane is dry. When you pinch the soft part of the nose, you press exactly this spot together and the blood can clot.

Leaning forward lets the blood run out of the nose and not into the throat. Swallowed blood irritates the stomach and can cause nausea and vomiting.

What really matters

The most common mistake is letting go too early to check. Then the fresh clot tears open again. So press patiently and continuously and only then let go carefully. If it keeps bleeding, start again.

Press on the soft part of the nose, not the hard bridge. Afterwards, do not blow or pick the nose for a while and avoid heavy exertion.

Safety and limits

Medical help is needed if the nosebleed does not stop despite pressure, is very heavy, follows a blow to the head or nose, keeps coming back or the person takes blood-thinning medication.

If the person becomes pale, cold and sweaty, confused or drowsy, if clear fluid runs from the nose or ears after a head injury, or if the accident was serious: call the emergency number (112 in the EU, in Austria also 144).

With children

Children often have nosebleeds, and it frightens them. Staying calm and reassuring the child is already half the help – someone who is agitated keeps still badly. Older children can pinch their own nose.

The old advice "head back" persists stubbornly. Calmly explain why the head belongs forward. Children learn this playfully on first-aid courses for kids.

Step by step

Nosebleeds

Step 1 of 6

Sit, lean forward

Have the person sit upright and lean the head slightly forward. Hold out a cloth or bowl to catch the blood.

  1. 1

    Sit, lean forward

    Have the person sit upright and lean the head slightly forward. Hold out a cloth or bowl to catch the blood.

  2. 2

    Pinch the soft part of the nose

    With thumb and index finger, pinch the soft part of the nose below the bony bridge. Breathe through the mouth.

  3. 3

    Keep up the pressure

    Keep up the pressure for several minutes without interruption and without checking in between. Then release carefully; if it is still bleeding, press again.

  4. 4

    Cool the neck

    Additionally place a cold, wet cloth or a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the back of the neck.

  5. 5

    Take it easy afterwards

    After the bleeding stops, do not blow or pick the nose and avoid heavy physical exertion for a while.

  6. 6

    Medical help if needed

    If it does not stop, is very heavy or occurred after a blow to the head: get medical help or call the emergency number.

No reviewed video is available for this technique yet.

Common mistakes

  • Tipping the head back
  • Lying flat
  • Constantly releasing to check
  • Pressing on the bony bridge instead of the soft part of the nose
  • Swallowing the blood

Quick view

Materials

  • Disposable gloves(optional)

    When helping someone else

    Consider latex allergies – prefer latex-free gloves (e.g. nitrile).

  • Cotton cloth / T-shirt(optional)

    Cold, wet cloth for the neck; a cloth to catch blood

    Removes coarse particles only – no disinfection.

  • Ice packs(optional)

    Wrapped in a cloth

    Do not fill water bottles to the brim for freezing – water expands as it freezes.

Suitable for

  • Ordinary nosebleeds in children and adults
  • Nosebleeds after blowing the nose, dry air or a light knock

Not suitable for

  • Nosebleeds after a bad fall or blow to the head – then medical help or the emergency number
  • Clear fluid coming from the nose or ears after a head injury – emergency number

Prerequisites

  • The person is alert and can sit
  • No sign of a serious head injury

Safety

  • This text does not replace a first-aid course. First aid is learned through hands-on practice under instruction. In an emergency always call professional help – via the local emergency number (112 in the EU) – and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
  • Get medical help if the nosebleed does not stop despite continuous pressure, is very heavy, follows a blow to the head or nose, keeps coming back or the person takes blood-thinning medication.
  • Do not tip the head back and do not lie flat. Swallowed blood can cause nausea and vomiting; better to spit the blood out.

How it works

Most nosebleeds arise in the front part of the nasal septum, where many fine vessels lie just under the mucous membrane. Pinching the soft part of the nose presses this area together so the blood can clot. Leaning forward lets blood run out of the nose rather than into the throat. A cold cloth on the back of the neck is taught on courses as an additional measure; what matters is continuous pressure.

Advantages

  • Simple and possible anywhere
  • Helps with most nosebleeds

Disadvantages

  • Requires patience
  • Bleeding from further back in the nose often cannot be stopped this way

Deep knowledge

Background

The ERC first-aid guidelines recommend that a person with a nosebleed sit upright with the head tilted forward and pinch the nostrils; if the bleeding continues, medical help should be sought. Cooling the neck is additionally taught on German-language courses.

The once common advice to tip the head back is considered outdated: the blood then simply no longer runs visibly out of the nose but into the throat.

Variants

In children
Children often have nosebleeds, usually harmless. Staying calm and reassuring the child helps – agitation makes keeping still difficult. Older children can pinch their nose themselves.

Common mistakes

  • Tipping the head back
  • Lying flat
  • Constantly releasing to check
  • Pressing on the bony bridge instead of the soft part of the nose
  • Swallowing the blood

Limits and risks

  • Does not replace a first-aid course
  • No nasal packing or medication
  • After head injuries always get a medical check

Sources

  1. [1]

    European Resuscitation Council – Resuscitation (journal) (2021): European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: First Aid

    Nosebleed: sit upright, lean forward, pinch the nostrils, medical help if bleeding persists

  2. [2]

    Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): Erste Hilfe – Informationen und Kurse

    Nosebleed: head forward, cool the neck

Rev. 1 · Updated 2026-10-10