One should pinch the lower soft part of the nose, hold the head slightly forward but upright, and apply ice on the forehead and nasal bridge. Nose bleeds usually arise from the rich blood supply to the nasal septum just inside the nostrils. They often are associated with allergic rhinitis (or hay fever), nose picking, physical exertion in a hot environment or in sunshine or colds. In adults other factors are involved such as inadequately controlled hypertension (high blood pressure), excessive alcohol intake, cocaine sniffing or taking drugs which prevent clotting, like aspirin, warfarin or Plavix. Persistent nose bleeds on the same side for no reason frequently occur because of a widening of a vein in the front part of the septum and such patients need cautery of the vein to solve the problem. This is usually done under local anaesthetic after application of a spray which numbs the area and takes a few minutes.