What to have ready for the call.
Before requesting care, note when the bleeding began, whether it has stopped or returned, any recent injury, and any medicines or products you use. If it is safe to do so, have that information ready along with your questions. MyHealth Alberta’s guidance describes sitting upright, leaning slightly forward, and applying uninterrupted direct pressure to the soft part of the nose while timing it.
A callback request is not a diagnosis, prescription, referral, laboratory requisition, document, payment, or confirmed appointment. The clinic reviews the concern and may recommend another setting.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Seek immediate in-person care if bleeding continues after two 15-minute periods of direct pressure, substantial blood runs down the throat, you feel weak or light-headed, or the bleeding follows a head injury. Call 911 for loss of consciousness.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a callback.
Common questions about nosebleeds.
What information should I have ready before I request care?
Be ready to share when the bleeding started, whether it has happened before, whether there was an injury, and any medicines or nasal products you use. You can also write down the questions you want answered.
Where is the general nosebleed information on this page from?
The main source is MyHealth Alberta’s Nosebleeds: Care Instructions. A second MyHealth Alberta page, Stopping a Nosebleed, provides related first-aid information.
Can this be handled in a virtual conversation?
A clinic decides whether a virtual conversation or another setting may fit after considering the information you provide. This page does not assess virtual suitability.
What should I do if I want a specific test, medicine, or prescription?
You may state your concern and request, but this page cannot recommend tests or treatment or promise a prescription. The clinic determines what it can address and the appropriate next step.
When is immediate in-person care needed?
Seek immediate in-person care if bleeding continues after two 15-minute periods of direct pressure, substantial blood runs down the throat, there is weakness or light-headedness, or bleeding follows a head injury. Call 911 for loss of consciousness.
Non-emergency request
Request a doctor call today.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. After a completed form submitted between 8 AM and 10 PM Mountain Time, a doctor usually calls back within 60 minutes. This is not a guaranteed callback, appointment, or live wait time. Requests submitted outside those hours do not have a 60-minute or same-day callback promise. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.