How should you treat a nosebleed?

The appropriate method for treating a nosebleed is to pinch the nostrils together and lean forward. This approach promotes effective control of the bleeding by applying pressure directly to the nasal passages and helps prevent blood from flowing down the throat, which could lead to choking or swallowing blood. Leaning forward allows any blood that does escape to flow out of the nose rather than back into the nasal cavity or throat.

While lying down and tilting your head back may seem like a method to stop the bleeding, it can lead to blood draining down the throat, increasing the risk of aspiration or swallowing blood, which can cause nausea or vomiting. Putting ice on the back of the neck could provide temporary relief for other types of injuries but is not a proven method for managing a nosebleed. Using a cotton ball might obstruct the nasal passages, which can complicate the situation and potentially introduce bacteria, leading to infection. Thus, pinching the nostrils together and leaning forward remains the recommended first-aid practice for nosebleeds.