The Correct Technique

  1. 1

    Sit upright and lean slightly forward

    Sit down and lean your head slightly forward — not backward. Leaning forward prevents blood flowing down the throat which can cause nausea and vomiting. The blood should drain out of the nose, not down the back of the throat.

  2. 2

    Pinch the soft part of your nose

    Using your thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the soft fleshy part of your nose — just below the bony bridge. This is where most nosebleeds originate. Pinching here applies pressure directly to the bleeding blood vessels.

  3. 3

    Hold for 10–15 minutes without releasing

    This is the key step most people get wrong — they release the pressure after 2–3 minutes to check if it has stopped, which dislodges the forming clot. Set a timer and hold firmly for the full 10–15 minutes without letting go.

  4. 4

    Breathe through your mouth

    Keep your mouth open and breathe normally through it while your nose is pinched.

  5. 5

    After 15 minutes — release gently

    After the full time, release slowly. If bleeding has stopped, avoid blowing your nose for several hours. If still bleeding, repeat for another 15 minutes with firm pressure.

Do NOT tilt your head backThis is the most common mistake. Tilting back causes blood to flow down the throat and into the stomach, which causes nausea. It also makes it harder to keep pressure on the right spot. Always lean forward.
Seek medical attention ifThe bleeding does not stop after 30 minutes of correct pressure. You lost a lot of blood. The nosebleed followed a head injury. You take blood thinners. You have frequent nosebleeds (more than once a week).

Preventing Nosebleeds

  • Use a humidifier in dry environments — dry air is the most common cause
  • Apply a little petroleum jelly inside the nostrils in very dry weather
  • Avoid picking your nose — the most common cause in children
  • Blow your nose gently, one nostril at a time

Frequently Asked Questions

Avoid it if possible — stuffing the nose with tissue does not apply the right pressure and can damage the nasal lining when removed. Pinching is more effective. If you must, use a damp cloth very gently. Remove slowly and carefully to avoid re-opening the wound.
Frequent nosebleeds can be caused by dry air, allergies, blood thinning medications, high blood pressure, or a blood vessel close to the surface inside the nostril. If you get more than one nosebleed per week, see a doctor — a simple procedure called cauterisation can seal the problematic blood vessel permanently.