How to heal a bleeding nose

I have heard many recommendations, including the "roll a peice of tissue paper up and shove it up the nostril" method to the "blow the blood out through your nose until there is no more blood to blow" method. The tissue paper method will usually work, however, I do recommend placing a cool cloth on the back side of your neck. Place your index finger and your thumb on the middle of your nose and lightly pinch. Lay down on your back if you can.

If the bleeding is relatively minor or slow, it is possible to keep it in check by lightly and consistently sniffing, not enough so as to draw blood into your sinuses, but just enough to stop it dripping. The airflow also speeds the clotting, and it involves no use of unsightly bloody tissues.

If you're anywhere near a sink it can also be beneficial to hold the bleeding nostril under cold running water. I've found this is best when the bleeding is out of control (as a result of excessive heat or high blood pressure, two things that invariably result in nasal haemmorhage for me).

For all levels in between, the tissue plug or fingers-as-pegs methods are both adequate. Where you hold your head is pretty much irrelevant, but I don't recommend a position in which the blood can flow into your sinuses, for this is very unpleasant. Don't hold your head back, and I personally wouldn't suggest lying down on your back either.

• If you've had a bloody nose in the past day, and you've got another one, blow your nose first. It will get the old clots out and provide a fresh surface for the new clot to form
• Pinch your nose -- not too hard, but enough to seal the nostril shut and give the blood time to coagulate.
• Don't tilt your head back or lie down. It will cause the blood to get into your sinuses or into your stomach (blecch), which can make you sick.
• Don't pick at it or it won't get better. (and it's rude, too.)