Nosebleeds are common but can be a sign of something serious. Here's when to see a doctor.

Nosebleeds are among the most common injuries we experience, and they occur for a variety of reasons. They can be the result of allergies or sickness, because of nose picking, as a side effect of certain medications, a result of blowing one's nose too hard, or due to a knock or bump to the area. Another common reason for them is if the climate one lives in is dry, blood vessels can crack and dry out, causing subsequent bleeding. 

But sometimes a nosebleed is a sign of something more serious, and no matter the cause, it's always helpful to know how to stop a nosebleed once one begins. 

When should I be concerned about a nosebleed?

While nosebleeds aren't usually anything to be concerned about if they occur as a result of an obvious injury or for any of the aforementioned common reasons, they can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions that require additional attention or treatment. 

For instance, nosebleeds can be a symptom of blood-clotting disorders such as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome or bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. They can also be associated with nasal deformities, high blood pressure, and can even be an early sign of leukemia. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare genetic disorder that can also cause frequent nosebleeds.

Because of these and other known medical conditions, "if nosebleeds are happening to you frequently, it's a good idea to check in with a doctor," says Dr. Neha Pathak, chief physician editor at WebMD and a former primary care doctor at the Department of Veterans Affairs. "It could be a sign there's something more going on." 

How to stop a nosebleed

Regardless of what's causing your nose to bleed, it's important to stop the bleeding as soon as you're able. Most of the time, sitting up, "pinching the tip of your nose (that's the soft part of your nose right below the nasal bone,) and leaning forward will be enough to stop the bleeding and prevent you from accidentally swallowing your blood," says Dr. Todd Hamilton, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Revere Health in Utah. 

When doing so, spit any blood that's entered your mouth into a bowl or sink and don't expect bleeding to completely stop immediately. "Hold consistent pressure for 5-10 minutes," advises Pathak. Sometimes applying an ice pack to the area can also be helpful. 

If this doesn't work, keeping the inside of your nose moist with a saltwater spray or decongestant can be effective, says Dr. Steven Maher, an emergency medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. 

What happens if a nosebleed won't stop?

Such steps are usually enough to stop most nosebleeds but there are times where an unknown cause or condition may also be playing a part. "If your nosebleed is like a faucet that you can't turn off, lasts longer than 20 minutes, or you are on blood thinners, you should seek medical attention," suggests Pathak. 

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Hamilton agrees and says that losing too much blood can become worrisome on its own. "If the bleed continues for much longer than 15 minutes, you should contact your physician or go to urgent care and be evaluated immediately," he says. 

A doctor can evaluate what's causing the bleed, rule out any worrisome conditions or causes, and can help stop the bleeding. To do so, they may employ a number of tools and methods such as a procedure called embolization, where blood vessels that supply the inner lining of the nose are blocked, or a procedure called packing, where a specially-designed tampon is inserted in the nostrils to apply localized pressure. "In some cases, a physician may also cauterize the vessels to further prevent bleeding," says Maher.