You should worry about a nosebleed and seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 20 to 30 minutes despite applying pressure.
- Bleeding that is unusually heavy or could fill about a cup with blood.
- Feeling dizzy, weak, or faint during or after the nosebleed.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing a lot of blood.
- Nosebleeds following a head injury or trauma.
- Frequent nosebleeds occurring more than three times a month or several times a week.
- Nosebleeds accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as unexplained bruising, bleeding from other parts of the body, or headaches.
- If you have medical conditions or take medications (like blood thinners) that affect blood clotting.
- Nosebleeds occurring in children younger than 2 years old.
If bleeding cannot be stopped by pinching the nose for up to 15-20 minutes, or if there is significant blood loss, urgent medical care is recommended, potentially an emergency room visit. For recurrent or severe nosebleeds, a healthcare provider should evaluate to identify underlying causes and provide treatment options. Home care includes sitting upright, leaning forward, gently blowing the nose afterwards, avoiding picking or blowing the nose, and keeping nasal passages moist to prevent dryness-related bleeds.
