Nosebleeds are common problems for kids and some adults, particularly in the winter months, when furnaces and fireplaces dry out the air in our homes and the membranes in our noses.

Generally, nosebleeds are caused by damage to the mucous membranes in the nostrils. In kids, the most common causes are from injury, either through digital trauma – picking their noses – or from an object, such as a ball, striking them in the nose.

Adults can get nosebleeds the same way as kids, but when an adult’s nose starts to bleed for apparently no reason, it could be an indicator of a dangerous medical condition, such as sudden high blood pressure. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are getting nosebleeds, especially without injury.
How to Treat Nosebleed
There are just two steps to treating a nosebleed. First, lean forward. The tendency is to lean back with a nosebleed to keep the blood from dripping. Unfortunately, this can lead to swallowing blood, which will irritate the lining of the stomach and lead to vomiting.
Pinch the Nose
Second, pinch the sides of the nose against the hard inner cartilage with enough force to stop the bleeding. Make sure your fingers are on the hard part of the nose about halfway up; don’t completely close the nostrils. If you’re correctly pinching the nose, the victim should still be able to breath through his nose while you hold pressure.
Nosebleed Timing
Don’t let go for five minutes. It will take at least this long for the bleeding to stop completely. If you let go before the five minutes are up, pinch again and start the clock over.

Let go after five minutes of continuous pressure. If bleeding resumes, pinch the nose again for an additional ten minutes. If necessary, you can repeat this procedure one more time for ten more minutes.

If a nosebleed doesn’t stop after the second or third try, it’s time to see a doctor. If the victim complains of being weak, dizzy or light-headed.
Nosebleeds and Ice Packs
Placing ice on the bridge of the nose can help reduce the bleeding, but you must still hold pressure. Wrap the ice pack in cloth to avoid frostbite.
After a Nosebleed
After a nosebleed has been stopped, don’t let the victim blow his nose, even though it will feel stuffed up. This will blow out the clots that have formed and start the bleeding all over again.

Nosebleeds are particularly dangerous in people taking blood thinners, so make sure to call 911 for those victims.

Try these simple tips to stop your nosebleed:

Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.
Sit or stand so your head is above your heart.
Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 full minutes of steady pressure — don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped.
Apply a cold compress, such as ice wrapped in a cloth or paper towel, to the area around the nose. Applying pressure with a cotton pad inside the upper lip may also help.
If you get a nosebleed, don't blow your nose. Doing so can cause additional nosebleeds. Also, don't tilt your head back. This common practice will cause blood to run into your throat. This can make you cough or choke, and if you swallow a lot of blood, you might throw up.

If you've tried the steps above twice and the bleeding continues after 10 minutes, you'll need to see your school nurse or a doctor.