Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for a nosebleed. Nosebleeds are common and are often caused by dry air, a cold, or picking your nose. Your nose might also bleed after an injury, if you use cold or allergy nasal sprays too much, or if you snort drugs.
Most nosebleeds are not serious. With the right care, they usually stop on their own.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●To help prevent getting more nosebleeds:
•Use a cool mist humidifier in the room where you sleep.
•Keep the inside of your nose moist with a nasal saline spray or gel, or petroleum jelly (sample brand name: Vaseline).
•Do not pick your nose.
•Do not put objects into your nose.
●The doctor might suggest using petroleum jelly on the bleeding spot twice a day for a week until it heals.
●If your nose starts to bleed again, here is what you should do:
•Sit down while bending forward a little at the waist. DO NOT lie down or tilt your head back.
•Pinch the soft area toward the bottom of your nose, below the bone. DO NOT grip the bridge of your nose between your eyes. That will not work. DO NOT press on just 1 side, even if the bleeding is only on 1 side. That will not work either.
•Squeeze your nose shut for at least 15 minutes. For young children, a caregiver should calm the child and squeeze their nose. Do not release the pressure before the time is up to check if the bleeding has stopped. If you keep checking, you will ruin your chances of getting the bleeding to stop.
•If you follow these steps, and your nose keeps bleeding, repeat all of the steps once more. Apply pressure for a total of at least 30 minutes. If you are still bleeding, go back to the emergency department or an urgent care clinic.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
•Have a nosebleed along with chest pain
•Feel weak, dizzy, or lightheaded, or pass out
•Have blood gushing from your nose, and it is hard to breathe
●Return to the ED if:
•Your nosebleed does not stop after doing the steps listed above.
•You are on a medicine to prevent blood clots or you have a bleeding condition, and are bleeding a lot.
•You have new bruises or bleeding gums not caused by an injury.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●Frequent nosebleeds that are hard to stop
●Family members who bleed easily or have bleeding conditions
●New or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Nosebleeds (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use nasal medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Managing increased bleeding risk (The Basics)
Patient education: Nosebleeds (epistaxis) (Beyond the Basics)
