So there you are, minding your own business, and blood starts pouring from your nose. Don't panic! This is a normal occurance, and nothing to be scared of.

A nose bleed happens when the blood vessels in your nostrils break open. It's easy for this to happen, these blood vessels are right there at the skin's surface and break really easily. If you pick your nose, are in hot dry weather, or are suffering from a cold or allergies which make your nose run, you may get a nose bleed. Also, if you injure your nose, stick stuff up there, or scratch the inside of your nostril too hard, you may experience a nosebleed.

The most important thing to remember if your nose is bleeding is that you have to sit up, or stand. If you lay down or hold your head back the blood will flow down the back of your throat and you'll swallow blood and mucus, which is a choking hazard.

1. Use a tissue or cloth to catch the blood.
2. Tip your head forward and look down slightly. This will cause the blood to flow freely, and out your nose rather than down your throat.
3. Pinch your nose, closing your nostrils and putting pressure on them. You will have to breathe through your mouth.
4. Keep pressure on your nostrils for about five minutes, then wipe any blood off of your face with the tissue/cloth. If the bleeding has not yet stopped, apply pressure for another five minutes.
5. After ten minutes, if your nose is still bleeding, call a doctor. Try not to pick or rub the inside of your nose, as this will only aggravate the problem.
6. If your nose has stopped bleeding, wash the blood off of your face and leave your nose alone. Give your nostrils time to heal.

If your child gets a nose bleed, it's up to you to get them calmed down. Before you apply any pressure to their nose, you should check their nostrils for foreign objects. It's normal for children to try and put things up their noses, and you may injure them if you apply pressure around/over an object they've inserted.