What should I do when there is blood when blowing nose?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Blood when blowing your nose is often caused by dry air, nasal irritation, or minor blood vessel damage. To stop the bleeding, gently pinch the soft part of your nose and lean forward for about 10 minutes. Avoid tilting your head back, as this can cause blood to flow down your throat.

Seek medical attention if the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, occurs frequently, or is accompanied by dizziness, heavy blood loss, or other concerning symptoms. Since nosebleeds can stem from anything from allergies to underlying conditions, understanding the cause is key to knowing your next steps. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights into what may be going on and how to address it quickly.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

To stop nosebleeds, begin by sitting down and leaning forward slightly. This helps keep the blood from running down your throat. Use your thumb and index finger to gently pinch the soft part of your nose (the area below the bridge) for about 10 minutes without interruption. Breathe through your mouth during this time. Applying a cold compress to the nose or cheeks may also help slow the bleeding by reducing blood flow. Avoid blowing or picking your nose after the bleeding has stopped so that blood clots can help seal the bleeding area. If the bleeding is heavy or continues after 10 minutes of pressure, it is important to seek medical help right away. These steps are common initial measures but if you're experiencing frequent nosebleeds or other concerning symptoms, try Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine when to seek professional care.

(References)

Updated 2023 May 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538304/
Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A. Current Approaches to Epistaxis Treatment in Primary and Secondary Care. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Jan 8;115(1-02):12-22. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012. PMID: 29345234; PMCID: PMC5778404.
Bequignon E, Vérillaud B, Robard L, Michel J, Prulière Escabasse V, Crampette L, Malard O; SFORL work-group. Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SFORL). First-line treatment of epistaxis in adults. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2017 May;134(3):185-189. doi: 10.1016/j.anorl.2016.09.008. Epub 2016 Oct 24. PMID: 27789155.

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