Ear, Nose & Throat Treatment Should You Tilt Your Head Back or Forward to Stop a Nosebleed? By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 04, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Facebook LinkedIn Benjamin F. Asher, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist. He has a private practice in New York City where he focuses on natural and integrative healing. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print A nosebleed (epistaxis) is a fairly common problem that is often treated at home. One immediate reaction when this occurs is to tilt your head back so you won't drip blood, but it is better to sit up straight and keep your head in a neutral position (rather than tilted backward or way forward) when working to stopping a nose bleed. While it may reduce the amount of blood that comes out of your nose, tilting your head back allows the blood to run down the back of your throat. This can result in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A slight tilt forward is OK, but going too far (e.g., leaning down to your knees) can position your heart above your head, which can encourage more bleeding. Tharakorn / Getty Images What to Do When You Have a Nosebleed Rather than tilt your head back, the recommendation is to: Sit in a chair.Keep your body and head upright rather than tilted backward or bent far forward.Pinch your nostrils together by gently pressing on each side of your nose (just below the bridge).Keep pressure on your nostrils for at least five minutes, and a full 10 minutes if possible before checking to see if bleeding has stopped. If available, you can use a cloth or tissue to catch any blood, but don't pack your nose with gauze or tissue. You can apply a cold compress to the bridge of your nose if helpful. You may need to make a few attempts and the entire process may take between five and 20 minutes. Nosebleeds that continue longer than 20 minutes may require medical attention. After the bleeding stops, maintain an upright body position and avoid bending over. Also, avoid blowing your nose. When to See a Healthcare Provider/Go to the Hospital Nosebleeds are rarely a medical emergency. However, on occasion, you may need help from a medical professional for your nosebleed. You can determine the severity of your nosebleed by asking yourself the following questions: Has your nose been bleeding for 20 minutes and won't stop despite you trying the first aid steps listed above? Are you bleeding rapidly or have you lost more than a cup of blood? Are you having other symptoms as a result of the bleeding, such as pale skin, confusion, chest pain, or difficulty breathing? Is blood running down the back of your throat? (posterior nosebleed) Is the bleeding caused by a traumatic facial injury (like a broken nose), a car accident, or a blow to the head? Are you taking anticoagulants (blood thinners)? If you answer "yes" to any of these, you should seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or ask a friend or family member to drive you to the emergency department. Driving while you are actively bleeding could result in passing out at the wheel and being involved in a dangerous accident. If you have a nosebleed that you managed to stop, contact your healthcare provider for further advice if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), you started a new medication recently, you recently had nasal or sinus surgery, or you have a known condition such as a nasal or sinus tumor or polyps. When to Call a Healthcare Provider About a Nosebleed Medical Treatments for Nosebleeds When you can't control a nosebleed on your own, a healthcare provider can use a medical intervention to do so. Some common ones that may be considered include silver nitrate cauterization, nasal packing, and a nasal clip. What to Do for Frequent Nosebleeds Causes and Prevention Genetic causes of nosebleeds, like hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, are obviously unavoidable. And if you are on a blood thinner, which impedes clotting, you may not be able to stop taking your medication. But most other causes of nosebleeds can be influenced by changes that are within your control: Refrain from picking your nose and keep nails short with rounded edges.Work to manage your allergies and do your best to prevent colds to avoid having to blow your nose frequently.Try using a cool mist humidifier at night, particularly if you live in an area with low humidity.Use a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages hydrated. If you play sports or have a physical job, be sure to wear proper protective equipment (if applicable) to prevent facial trauma. That said, some people experience frequent nosebleeds that sometimes don't have an obvious cause (such as being bumped in the nose). You can often stop these nosebleeds, but to further prevent them from recurring, you should talk to your healthcare provider. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cleveland Clinic. Nosebleed (epistaxis): Management and treatment. Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A. Current approaches to epistaxis treatment in primary and secondary care. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(1-02):12-22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012 MedlinePlus. Nosebleed. Fishpool SJ, Tomkinson A. Patterns of hospital admission with epistaxis for 26,725 patients over an 18-year period in Wales, UK. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2012;94(8):559-62. doi:10.1308/003588412X13373405386691 Cleveland Clinic. Nosebleed (epistaxis). Newton E, Lasso A, Petrcich W, Kilty SJ. An outcomes analysis of anterior epistaxis management in the emergency department. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;45:24. doi:10.1186/s40463-016-0138-2 University of Michigan. Frequent nosebleeds. Additional Reading Goldenberg, D. & Goldstein, B.J. Handbook of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. New York City, NY:Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.