My wife and I are mixed on this question: What is the correct way to stop a nose bleed?

Q: My wife got a nose bleed a few night ago, now I have always been told to pinch the nose and lean your head back, she was always told to lean forward. Which one is it.

A: Your wife is correct. Pinch the soft portion of the nose while leaning forward. Adding a cold pack to the bridge of the nose can also help, since the cold will constrict the blood vessels slowing the blood flow and decreasing the pressure. Slow blood flow also promotes clotting. Do NOT pack anything into the nostril, until you've spoken with a qualified healthcare provider to show you how, you can make the situation worse if it's done improperly. Placing a cold pack on the back of the neck is not always effective or appropriate. Do NOT try to breath thru your nose as yearso0305 suggest, this will simply delay clotting, instead breath thru your mouth. Most nose bleeds will stop in ~15-30mins. If it doesn't stop, the person begins to show evidence of shock (>HR, 1hr before the staff called 911, by the time we got there and loaded her for transport her BP was <90 with an altered mental status. She wound-up being transported emergency to the ED. Rosie R- Swallowing blood during a nose bleed will not "poison" you. Blood is an irritant to the stomach, and will cause vomiting in sufficient quantities, but won't hurt you directly. - David

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