Although nosebleeds may scare a child, they are rarely cause for concern. Whether from dry air, allergies, nerves or a bonk on the nose, nosebleeds are very common in children, especially between the ages of 2 and 10. Most childhood nosebleeds are anterior -- meaning they start in the lower part of the nose, where the blood vessels are more easily broken. Usually, anterior nosebleeds begin with blood flowing out of just one nostril. With your help, or by themselves, children can generally treat anterior nosebleeds at home.
Step 1
Stay calm and help the child stay calm, as a scared child may bleed more. Talk to your child and tell him that there's no reason to be afraid. Tell a story to distract him.
Step 2
Hold the child upright in your lap or have him sit upright in a chair.
Step 3
Tilt the child's head slightly forward so the blood does not drain to the back of the throat.
Step 4
Have the child gently blow into a tissue to relieve any clotted blood. Spray a nasal decongestant in the nose, if you have one.
Step 5
With your thumb and index finger, pinch the soft part of the nose, while holding a tissue or washcloth. Continue pinching the nose between your thumb and index finger for five to 10 minutes.
Step 6
Remove your hand and check the nose. If the bleeding has not stopped, apply pressure for another 10 minutes.
Tips and Warnings
- Have your child relax in front of the TV or with a book after the nosebleed. Rough play may cause the nose to bleed again. Teach the child to apply pressure -- not to "pack" the nose with tissues. If the child is a frequent nose-picker, keep his nails short and offer a reward for keeping his fingers out of his nose. To prevent nosebleeds, keep the air moist with a cool-air humidifier and keep the child's nose moist with a saline nose spray. If allergies cause the nosebleeds, talk to the doctor about giving the child an antihistamine.
- Contact the doctor if the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure twice for 10 minutes at a time. Consult a doctor also if you suspect the child put something in his nose, or if the child started a new medication. Call the doctor if the child gets nosebleeds more than once a week, as an underlining condition may be to blame. While applying pressure to the nosebleed, immediately call the doctor if a fall or blow to the head caused the nosebleed, or if the child complains of feeling dizzy or weak. Posterior nosebleeds, which are less common in children, begin higher in the nose and usually require medical attention. If the blood continues to flow to the throat despite the child sitting upright, contact the doctor. A hard collision on the nose can cause a posterior nosebleed.
Things You'll Need
- Tissue
- Nasal decongestant spray
- Washcloth
