When to call the doctor
When to go to the hospital
A small amount of bleeding from a nosebleed requires little intervention. A common scenario is when a person with a cold or a sinus infection blows his or her nose vigorously and notices some blood in the tissue. Avoiding any more vigorous nose blowing, sneezing, or nose picking is usually enough to keep the bleeding from getting worse.
How to stop a nosebleed
What to do after the bleeding has stopped
Most people can be seen and discharged from a doctor's office or the hospital's emergency department after treatment for a nosebleed. If nasal packing has been placed, do not try to remove the packing yourself. You need to be seen again, usually within 1-3 days, at which time the packing will be removed.
Try to avoid any further irritation of the nose. Do not blow your nose. Try not to sneeze or cough, if possible. Avoid any strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or exercise.
If possible, try not to take any medications that may interfere with normal blood clotting. These medications include aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn). If you take these medications for a chronic medical condition, consult with your doctor about to what to do. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken for fever or pain.
Most nosebleeds occur during the winter in cold, dry climates. If you are prone to nosebleeds, use a humidifier in your home. Use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages moist.
Avoid picking your nose or blowing your nose too vigorously.
If the nosebleed is related to another medical condition, such as liver disease or a chronic sinus condition, follow your doctor's instructions to keep that problem under control.
With proper treatment, people recover from nosebleeds with no long-term effects.
If another undiagnosed disease is causing the bleeding, the prognosis depends on discovering and treating that disease.