First aid: nosebleeds
Sit up, lean forward, pinch for 10 minutes.
Call 911 if
- It lasts more than 30 minutes
- It follows a hard hit to the head or face
- The person feels faint or has trouble breathing
What to do
- Sit up and lean forward, not back.
- Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10 to 15 minutes. Don't peek.
- Breathe through the mouth and spit out any blood.
- If it starts again, pinch for another 10 minutes.
See a doctor or urgent care if
- It's still bleeding after 2 rounds of pinching
- Nosebleeds keep coming back
- The child is under 2
In every Nurse in a Box kit: gauze pads and gloves, with a registered nurse a tap away if you're not sure what to do.
Join the waitlist
Join the waitlist
← All first aid guides · Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
General first aid information based on guidance from the American Red Cross, Mayo Clinic, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace care from a nurse or doctor.