What should you do if a nose bleed doesn't stop after 10 minutes of pinching the nose?

If a nosebleed does not stop after 10 minutes of pinching the nose, continuing to pinch the nose for an additional period is often recommended as it helps maintain pressure on the bleeding site. This action can effectively assist in stopping the bleeding by encouraging blood clot formation. The rationale for pinching for 15 more minutes is based on the understanding that prolonged pressure increases the likelihood of closing the blood vessels that are causing the nosebleed.

While applying ice to the nose may help reduce swelling, it is not as directly effective in stopping the nosebleed compared to continued pressure. Lying down could potentially lead to complications, such as increased blood flow to the head or swallowing blood, which is not advisable during a nosebleed. Therefore, the most effective approach after the initial 10 minutes is to continue applying pressure for a further 15 minutes to optimize the chances of stopping the bleeding.