Nose bleeds commonly occur in children. Some children may have two or three nose bleeds within a week. Though it is a frightening experience for both the child and the parent, the cause of a nose bleed usually is not life-threatening. However, in rare cases, the underlying cause can be more serious medical condition.
Dry Nasal Passages
According to Teens Health, there are two types of nose bleeds--anterior and posterior. Anterior nose bleeds are more common and come from the front of the nose. Capillaries in the lining of the nose rupture and bleed. Dry air is the most common reason for anterior nose bleeds. The frequency of nose bleeds in children increases during the winter months because exposure to dry air irritates the nasal passages, causes dryness and bleeding. The Weill Cornell physicians recommend using a cool-mist humidifier to maintain a normal humidity level and correct the problem of dry air.
Nose Picking and Blowing Too Hard
When the nasal passages become dry and irritated, itchy crusting develops. Young children tend to pick their noses and cause nose bleeds. It is important to teach a child not to pick his nose. Applying petroleum jelly to the inside of the nostrils several times a day or at bedtime helps to keep the nostrils moist. An upper respiratory infection or virus can irritate the lining of the nose. Repeated blowing and blowing the nose too forcefully are two causes of frequent nose bleeds.
Allergies
Children with allergies can experience frequent nose bleeds. A physician may prescribe an antihistamine or decongestant medication to treat the allergy symptoms. Antihistamine inhibits the release of histamine and treats the symptoms of a runny itchy nose and sneezing. Decongestants relieve nasal congestion. These medications cause dryness in the nose, mouth and eyes during the first days of use. According to Teens Health, dryness of nasal membranes that results from the use of these types of medication leads to nose bleeds.
Bleeding Disorder
In rare cases, frequent nose bleeds that occur for no known reason are one symptom of hemophilia. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder characterized by a clotting abnormality. The Mayo Clinic says that there are several types of hemophilia, but all cause prolonged bleeding. A deficiency in the clotting factors causes additional symptoms including unexplained bleeding or bruising, prolonged bleeding from cuts or injuries and joint pain and swelling caused by internal bleeding. A nose bleed that is severe, lasts for more than 20 minutes and interferes with breathing warrants emergency medical attention.
