You may be overwhelmed to see blood pouring out of your toddler's nose, but most nosebleeds appear worse than they are. Nosebleeds in toddlers most often occur when dry air irritates the nasal membranes and toddlers further irritate the crust by rubbing or picking at them. "Stay calm" is the most important rule to keep in mind when you treat a toddler with a bloody nose. After that, you should be able to stop the bleeding by following a few simple steps.
Step 1
Sit down with your toddler on your lap and tilt him forward. Just a slight tilt will do to ensure that the blood doesn't drain down the back of his throat. Gently pinch his nostrils shut and apply constant pressure on them for at least 10 minutes. Resist the urge to let go and check his nose before the 10 minutes is over. In the mean time you may want to distract your toddler by reading him a favorite book or singing him a song.
Step 2
Release the pressure to determine whether the bleeding has stopped. Continue to gently pinch your toddler's nostrils closed for another 10 minutes if the bleeding hasn't stopped. If only one side is bleeding and your toddler resists the nostril pinching, try pinching just the affected side to reduce her distress. If she allows it, apply a cold compress to the bridge of her nose during the second session.
Step 3
Consult your doctor if your toddler has a persistent nosebleed. The doctor will examine your toddler's nose with a light to determine the source of the bleeding. Depending on the cause, he may use drops to constrict the blood vessels, place silver nitrate on the bleeding spot or soak a cotton ball in medication and place it in your toddler's nose. The doctor may also need to pack your toddler's nose with gauze if the bleeding is severe.
Tips and Warnings
- You may be able to reduce your toddler's risk of nosebleeds by turning on a home humidifier when she's sleeping. The humidifier will keep the air moist, which will reduce drying and crusting of the nasal passages. Additionally, regularly trimming your toddler's nails will help prevent injuries from nose picking.
- Consult medical help if your toddler regularly gets nosebleeds and you believe he bruises easily and bleeds heavily from minor injuries. Call for medical help as soon as possible if you believe your toddler has something lodged in his nose, or if his nosebleed may be because of a fall or a blow to the head.
Things You'll Need
- Cold compress
- Tissue
- Book
- Home humidifier
- Nail clippers
