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What to do if…
a nosebleed will not stop after firm pressure

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Keep sitting upright, lean forward, and pinch the soft part of the nose without releasing it. If the bleeding is still active after 15 to 20 minutes of correctly placed continuous pressure, seek emergency medical care now; call 911 for severe or gushing bleeding, breathing trouble, faintness, or a head or facial injury.

Do not do these things

  • Do not tilt your head back or lie flat.
  • Do not release the pressure repeatedly to check the bleeding.
  • Do not pinch only the hard, bony bridge of the nose.
  • Do not push tissues, cotton, gauze, or other loose material deep into the nostril.
  • Do not blow, pick, or rub your nose while it is bleeding.
  • Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, lightheaded, weak, confused, or unwell.
  • Do not stop or change a prescribed blood thinner unless a clinician tells you to.

What to do now

  1. Call 911 now if the bleeding is severe or gushing, blood is making it hard to breathe, you feel faint or lightheaded, you become confused, or the nosebleed followed a significant head, neck, or facial injury.
  2. Sit upright and lean slightly forward. Breathe through your mouth and spit out blood that reaches your mouth rather than swallowing it.
  3. Pinch both nostrils closed at the soft part of the nose, just below the bony bridge. Hold steady pressure continuously for 10 to 15 minutes using a timer.
  4. If your previous pressure was interrupted, shorter than 10 minutes, or placed on the bony bridge, complete one correctly placed pressure cycle while arranging help. Do not delay emergency care if the bleeding is heavy or you feel unwell.
  5. If the bleeding is still active after 15 to 20 minutes of correct continuous pressure, have someone take you to an emergency department now. Call 911 if you cannot travel safely, are alone and becoming unwell, or the bleeding worsens.
  6. Seek urgent medical help promptly if you take a blood thinner, have a bleeding or platelet disorder, recently had nasal or sinus surgery, or the person bleeding is younger than age 2.
  7. Tell the 911 dispatcher or clinician how long the bleeding has lasted, whether it followed an injury, and about any blood-thinning medicines, bleeding disorders, recent procedures, dizziness, weakness, or breathing difficulty.

What can wait

You do not need to work out why the nosebleed started, clean every bloodstain, buy prevention products, or arrange routine specialist follow-up while bleeding continues. Decisions about changing medicines or preventing another nosebleed can wait until a clinician has dealt with the active bleeding.

Important reassurance

Most nosebleeds are not life-threatening and stop with correctly placed continuous pressure. A nosebleed that continues despite firm pressure still needs prompt attention because a clinician may need to stop the bleeding directly.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Assessment, treatment, medication decisions, and later follow-up may require an emergency clinician, primary care clinician, or ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Important note

This is general medical information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical care. Call 911 for severe symptoms or immediate danger.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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