A sealing element for sealing a component gap with respect to a flow, in particular for use in a fluid-flow machine, specifically in a turbomachine is provided. In addition a fluid-flow machine is provided including such a sealing element for sealing a component gap. The sealing element includes a hollow profile enclosing a cavity. Arranged in the hollow profile are a first opening and a second opening, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile. The first opening is formed as an inlet opening for a cooling fluid into the cavity of the hollow profile, the second opening is formed as an outlet opening for the cooling fluid from the cavity of the hollow profile. With the sealing element arranged in a fluid-flow machine, the sealing element can consequently be internally cooled by means of the cooling fluid. Furthermore, the sealing element uses the pressure gradient occurring in the flow in the direction of flow to form a stable cooling fluid flow.