Most people know the right way to stop a nosebleed: lean the head back and apply pressure to the nose.

But medical experts say what most people know about nosebleeds is wrong.

Tilting the head back, a technique widely considered proper first aid, can create complications by allowing blood into the esophagus. It risks choking, and it can cause blood to travel to the stomach, possibly leading to irritation and vomiting.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says the best treatment is to sit down, lean forward and keep your head above your heart, which lessens the bleeding. Leaning forward also helps drain the blood from the nose and keeps it from the esophagus.

A report in the British Medical Journal says you can stop the bleeding by using your thumb and index finger to squeeze the soft tissue just below the bridge of your nose for 5 to 10 minutes.

A cold compress or ice pack placed across the bridge of the nose can also help.

If all of this fails and the bleeding lasts for over 20 minutes, or the nosebleed was caused by a blow to the head, seek medical attention.

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