Although seeing blood pouring out of your nose can be a frightening experience, you probably have nothing to worry about. Nosebleeds are relatively common in kids and most kids outgrow them at some point in their teen years, according to Children's Hospital Boston. In the mean time, learn about how to stop a nosebleed in its tracks and find out how to prevent some nosebleeds from happening in the future.
Causes
Most nosebleeds happen when small blood vessels in the inside of the nose break and bleed, according to KidsHealth, a part of the Nemours Foundation. These types of nosebleeds commonly occur when the inside of the nose is irritated by picking and excessive blowing, according to Children's Hospital Boston. Other common causes of nosebleeds in teens are colds, allergies and dry, cold or heated air.
Types
The type of nosebleed caused by breakage of tiny small blood vessels in the nose is called an anterior nosebleed because it comes from the front portion of the noise. A posterior nosebleed, which originates from a deep area in the nose, typically involves blood that goes down the back of the throat even if the person is sitting upright, according to KidsHealth. Posterior nosebleeds are rare in teens because they generally occur because of aging, high blood pressure and facial or nose injuries.
What to Do
Remain calm if you notice that your nose is bleeding. If you're in class, for example, stand up and quietly let your teacher know what is happening. Sit forward and pinch your nostrils together for five to 10 minutes without releasing them, and then determine whether the bleeding has ceased, advises Children's Hospital Boston. Place ice or a cold, wet compress to the bridge of your nose during this time. If the bleeding persists beyond the 10 minutes, repeat the steps. Don't tilt your head back while your nose is bleeding and, for the next 24 hours, avoid blowing your nose or participating activities that strain your body, notes KidsHealth.
When to See a Doctor
Visit your school nurse or see a doctor if your nose continues to bleed after you repeat the aforementioned steps twice, according to KidsHealth. Also, although a nosebleed from time to time isn't typically a cause for concern, nosebleeds that occur more than once a week might be caused by an underlying problem. In most cases, frequent nosebleeds are because of colds, sinus infections, allergies and irritation in the blood vessels, but in rare cases a nosebleed can be caused by a bleeding disorder.
Prevention
Be gentle with your nose. Keep your hands out of your nose and blow it carefully into a soft tissue, particularly when you have a cold, according to KidsHealth. Keep the inside of your nose moist by using a humidifier inside your home and by using a cotton swab to apply some petroleum jelly the inside of your nostrils. Your doctor may also recommend salt water drops as a way to reduce instances of nosebleeds.
