Blood gushing from a child's nose often causes panic and fear of a serious medical condition, but most nosebleeds stem from minor issues. Frequent nosebleeds are normal in children of all ages with varying causes from the air moisture to an injury. Learning how to handle your child's nosebleeds makes the situation less intimidating.
Causes
A dry environment increases the chances of a pediatric nosebleed. The inside of your child's nose also becomes dry so it is more susceptible to bleeding. Winter in particular causes dry homes due to the heating system. Winter is also the prime time for colds, which contribute to nosebleeds. Allergies and some chronic illnesses, particularly those that involve medications and oxygen that dry the nose, also increase the risks of nosebleeds. Bumps and hits to the nose are common for children. Another reason for nosebleeds is an abnormality in the nose structure, tissue growth inside the nose or problems with blood clotting.
Treating Nosebleeds
Keep yourself calm when your child has a nosebleed to comfort him and keep him calm. Pinch the soft bottom portion of your child's nose as he leans forward slightly. Keep the pressure on the nose for 10 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding stopped. When you release the pressure, make sure the bleeding has stopped. If his nose continues bleeding, repeat the 10 minutes of pressure. If this doesn't stop the bleeding, seek medical attention for your child.
Prevention
Nosebleeds aren't always preventable, but you can reduce the risk of bleeding depending on the cause. For nosebleeds caused by a dry environment, add a humidifier to the home. This moistens the air so the nose lining doesn't become as dry. Saline nasal spray is another way to moisten your child's nose without adding any medication to her system. Discourage your child from picking her nose or otherwise touching it frequently, as this can cause a nosebleed. Limiting rough play reduces the chance of a nosebleed caused by trauma.
Medical Care
Talk with your child's physician if he experiences frequent nosebleeds. Seek immediate medical attention if the bleeding is excessive or if it doesn't stop after 20 to 30 minutes. Your child also needs to see a doctor immediately if blood is also coming from his mouth, if he looks very pale and sweaty or if he doesn't respond to you.
