The inside of the nose is filled with many small blood vessels close to the surface. Even minor damage to the nose lining can lead to a bloody nose. Although it can be a frightening experience for a child and parent, most nosebleeds can be dealt with at home. Any nosebleed that follows an injury, is severe or doesn't stop after 20 minutes of treatment requires emergency medical treatment.
Causes
The most common cause of a nose bleed in a child is a cold or allergy, particularly if the child is sneezing, coughing and blowing his nose frequently. The inside of a child's nose can become cracked and crusted due to exposure to dry conditions inside a home during the winter months. Also, nose picking and sticking things up the nose can cause a nosebleed.
Nosebleeds From Trauma
A trauma to the face, head or nose, such as might happen in sports or even accidentally while the child is playing, can also cause the nose to bleed. Any nosebleed that occurs as a result of a blow should be evaluated by an emergency room physician immediately, even if the bleeding stops on its own. Be sure your child has the proper protective headgear when participating in sports, such as baseball, hockey and football.
First Aid
Have your child sit down rather than lie down because being in a position where his head is above his heart will help stop the bleeding, according to the website FamilyDoctor.org. Have the child lean forward so that blood drains from the nose rather than going down the throat. Using a thumb and index finger, compress the soft part of the nose between the tip and the bridge. Hold the nose for at least five minutes or until the nose stops bleeding. The child should avoid bending over or blowing his nose once the bleeding has stopped. Teach your child how to stop a bloody nose in case he suffers one when he is away from home. Even if he treats himself, he should notify the school nurse or other adult.
Warning Signs
If a child is faint or dizzy, or if his nose is bleeding fast and he is losing a great deal of blood, you should seek immediate medical help. If a child with a nosebleed has recently started a new medication, or has other symptoms such as bruising all over the body, consult your physician.
Prevention
Teach your child to never place anything inside his nose, and to always blow gently rather than forcefully when he has a cold. Treat any allergies so that your child doesn't have any unnecessary nasal congestion or irritation. You can help relieve your child's dry, itchy nasal passages by gently placing a water-based gel--not petroleum jelly--inside the nose with a cotton swab or finger, according to the website KidsHealth.org. Using a bedroom humidifier and a saline nasal spray or drops several times a day can also help relieve dryness.
