Getting a nosebleed or seeing a child get one can be dramatic and scary. Nosebleeds (whose technical term is “epistaxis”) are very common. They are usually caused by dry air or nose-picking.If you or your child gets a nosebleed, the important thing is to know how to manage it properly. With the right self-care, most nosebleeds will stop on their own. WHEN TO SEEK HELPThere are two main types of nosebleed, and one can be more serious than the other:Anterior nosebleeds originate toward the front of the nose and cause blood to flow out through the nostrils. This is the most common type of nosebleed and it is not usually serious. Posterior nosebleeds originate toward the back of the nose, near the throat. Posterior nosebleeds are less common than anterior nosebleeds, but they can be serious and can cause a lot of blood loss. Children do not usually get posterior nosebleeds.You should seek emergency medical care if your nosebleed:1.Involves massive bleeding or makes it hard to breathe 2.Causes you to become extremely pale, fatigued, or disoriented 3.Will not stop even after trying the self-care steps outlined below 4.Happens after recent nasal surgery or if you have a known nasal tumor 5.Occurs with other serious symptoms, such as chest pain 6.Occurs after an injury, such as being hit in the face, and you are concerned that you could have other injuries (eg, broken bone) 7.Will not stop bleeding and you take medications that prevent clotting, such as warfarin (Coumadin®), clopidogrel (Plavix®), or daily aspirin

 NOSEBLEED SELF-CAREWith the right self-care, most nosebleeds will stop on their own. Here’s what you should do if you get one:1. Sit or stand while bending forward slightly at the waist. Do not lie down or tilt your head back. This may cause you to swallow blood and can lead to vomiting and other uncomfortable symptoms.2. Grip the soft part of BOTH nostrils at the bottom of your nose. Do not grip the bridge of your nose, as that will not help the bleeding, and do not apply pressure to just one side, even if the bleeding is only on one side.3. Squeeze your nose closed for at least 5 minutes (for children) or 10 to 15 minutes (for adults), and use a clock to time yourself. Do not release the pressure every so often to check whether the bleeding has stopped. Many people hurt their chances of stopping the bleeding by releasing the pressure too soon or too often.4. If you want, you can also apply a cold compress or ice pack to the bridge of your nose. This can help the blood vessels constrict and slow the bleeding. This step is not usually necessary, but many people like to do it.Apply pressure for a total of at least 30 minutes. If you continue to bleed even then, seek emergency medical care, either at an emergency room or at an urgent care clinic.What if I get repeated nosebleeds? — Frequent nosebleeds can be caused by:Constant exposure to dry air Consistent use of nasal sprays (such as those used to manage allergies or congestion) Recurring colds Snorting drugs into your nose, such as cocaineIn some cases, recurring nosebleeds can be a sign of a bleeding disorder. But when bleeding disorders are at play, there are often other clues. For example, people with bleeding disorders tend to bruise easily and may bleed more than expected after minor injuries.NOSEBLEED TREATMENTIf you wind up needing medical care for a nosebleed, your healthcare provider will focus first on making sure you can breathe properly and on getting the bleeding to stop. If you have lost a lot of blood, you may need IV fluids to restore the lost blood.If the bleeding will not stop and the healthcare provider can see the source of the bleeding, he or she may stop the bleeding using a chemical or an electrical device. In severe cases, healthcare providers can pack the nostrils with tampons, gauze, foam, or other materials that can help stop the bleeding. People with serious nosebleeds may need to have a balloon inflated deep within their nose to get the bleeding to stop.A healthcare provider can also check the nose for growths or tumors or for blood vessel abnormalities. A growth or tumor may be more likely if only one nostril bleeds repeatedly or if the blood is tinged with an odorous discharge. Another explanation for one-sided bleeding or odorous discharge is the presence of a foreign body. When examining children with unexplained nosebleeds, healthcare providers often find beads, rubber erasers. NOSEBLEED PREVENTIONIf you get nosebleeds frequently, the following measures may help reduce the chances of getting a nosebleed:·         Use a humidifier in your bedroom while sleeping, especially when the air is very dry ·         Keep your nose moist using a saline nasal spray or gel ·         Avoid picking your nose, or — if you must do it — clip your fingernails to avoid injury