Nosebleeds can be frightening, but they aren't usually a sign of anything serious and can often be treated at home.

The medical name for a nosebleed is epistaxis.

During a nosebleed, blood flows from one or both nostrils. It can be heavy or light and last from a few seconds to 10 minutes or more.

What to do

To stop a nosebleed:

• sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of your nose, just above your nostrils, for at least 10-15 minutes
• lean forward and breathe through your mouth – this will drain blood down your nose instead of down the back of your throat
• place an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables covered by a towel on the bridge of your nose 
• stay upright, rather than lying down, as this reduces the blood pressure in the blood vessels of your nose and will discourage further bleeding

If the bleeding eventually stops, you won't usually need to seek medical advice. However, in some cases you may need further treatment from your GP or in hospital (see below).

Read more about treating nosebleeds.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if:

• you're taking a blood-thinning medicine (anticoagulant) such as warfarin or have a clotting disorder such as haemophilia and the bleeding doesn't stop
• you have symptoms of anaemia such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath and a pale complexion
• a child under two years of age has a nosebleed
• you have nosebleeds that come and go regularly

Ask someone to drive you to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department or call 999 for an ambulance if:

• the bleeding continues for longer than 20 minutes
• the bleeding is heavy and you've lost a lot of blood
• you're having difficulty breathing
• you swallow a large amount of blood that makes you vomit
• the nosebleed developed after a serious injury, such as a car crash

Find your nearest A&E department.

What causes nosebleeds?

The inside of your nose is full of tiny, delicate blood vessels that can become damaged and bleed relatively easily.

Common causes of nosebleeds include:

• picking your nose
• blowing your nose very hard
• a minor injury to your nose
• changes in humidity or temperature causing the inside of the nose to become dry and cracked

Occasionally, bleeding can come from the blood vessels deeper within the nose. This can be caused by a blow to the head, recent nasal surgery and hardened arteries (atherosclerosis).

Read more about the causes of nosebleeds.

Who gets nosebleeds?

Nosebleeds are fairly common and most people will experience them every now and again. Anyone can get a nosebleed, but they most often affect:

• children between two and 10 years of age
• elderly people
• pregnant women
• people who regularly take aspirin or anticoagulants, such as warfarin
• people with blood clotting disorders, such as haemophilia

Bleeding may also be heavier or last longer if you take anticoagulants, have a blood clotting disorder, or have high blood pressure (hypertension).

Are nosebleeds serious?

Nosebleeds aren't usually serious. However, frequent or heavy nosebleeds may indicate more serious health problems, such as high blood pressure or a blood clotting disorder, and should be checked.

Excessive bleeding over a prolonged period of time can also lead to further problems such as anaemia.

If your GP suspects a more serious problem is causing your nosebleeds, they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further tests.

Preventing nosebleeds

Things you can do to prevent nosebleeds include:

• avoid picking your nose and keep your fingernails short
• blow your nose as little as possible and only very gently
• keep your home humidified
• regularly apply petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) to the inside of your nostrils to keep the inside of your nose moist
• wear a head guard during activities in which your nose or head could get injured
• always follow the instructions that come with nasal decongestants – overusing these can cause nosebleeds

Talk to your GP if you experience nosebleeds frequently and aren't able to prevent them. They may refer you to an ENT specialist for an assessment.