A nosebleed occurs when blood vessels inside the nose break. Because they’re delicate, this can happen easily.

What to Do Immediately: Lean slightly forward and pinch your nose just below the bridge, where the cartilage and the bone come together. Maintain the pressure for 5 to 15 minutes. Pressing an ice pack against the bridge can also help.

What Not to Do: Tilt your head back. “You may swallow blood, and potentially some could go in your lungs,” says David Markenson, M.D., chair of the American Red Cross Advisory Council on First Aid and Safety.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Call your doctor if you can’t stop the bleeding after 20 minutes; if the nosebleed happened spontaneously; or if it accompanies a headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, or vision problems.