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Why do you get nosebleeds?

The short answer

The lining of your nose has many tiny blood vessels close to the surface. Dry winter air, picking or blowing too hard can make them bleed.

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Watch it in about a minute, here or on YouTube

Tilting your head back during a nosebleed is a mistake. The trick is knowing your nose's weak spot.

Why does your nose bleed?

The lining of your nose has many tiny blood vessels, close to the surface. Dry air, like heated air in winter, can make that lining crack and bleed. Picking your nose or blowing it too hard can break the vessels, too.

Illustration from the video: Dry air, like heated air in winter, can make that lining crack and bleed.

Illustration from the video: Picking your nose or blowing it too hard can break the vessels, too.

How do you stop one?

Sit down and lean forward, so blood does not go down your throat. Pinch the soft part of your nose, just above your nostrils. Breathe through your mouth and keep pinching for a full 15 minutes. If it will not stop, or you hit your head, see a doctor right away.

Illustration from the video: Breathe through your mouth and keep pinching for a full 15 minutes.

Illustration from the video: If it will not stop, or you hit your head, see a doctor right away.

Illustration from the video: Most nosebleeds start there, so a pinch can stop them.

One more thing

That weak spot is the front of the wall between your nostrils. Most nosebleeds start there, so a pinch can stop them.

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