Childhood nosebleeds can be brought on by several things, varying from an injury to dry air. Although rarely reason for concern, nosebleeds can be a sign of a serious health condition, especially if they occur on a weekly basis. Call your pediatrician if your child is having regular or heavy nosebleeds.
Causes
Nosebleeds commonly happen when the tiny and sensitive blood vessels in your child's nose get irritated or dry. Common causes for nosebleeds include allergies, colds, dry climate or indoor air, sinus infections, drugs, nose picking, or if a foreign object irritates the nose. Anatomical problems such as an abnormal growth in the nose can trigger bleeding. Injury to the nose, such as a hit from a toy or falling, also can lead to a nosebleed.
Treatment
Your first reaction to a nosebleed might be to want to tilt your child's head back to prevent the blood from dripping out, but this is not recommended because it can cause the blood to run down your child's throat and induce vomiting. Instead, sit your child on your lap and allow him to lean slightly forward. Apply pressure to the nose with a soft and clean tissue for about 10 minutes to allow the blood vessels in the nose to constrict and stop bleeding. You also can use a cold compress at the nose bridge to assist in vessel constriction. If the nosebleed has not stopped within 20 minutes, call your child's physician. Your doctor can apply silver nitrate or other medications to help constrict the blood vessels in your child's nose.
Prevention
If nosebleeds are caused by dry indoor air, install a humidifier at your home, particularly in your child's room to help ease the dryness. Do not allow your child to place any objects or his fingers up his nose, which can irritate the nose lining. If nosebleeds are a result of allergy, consult your pediatrician about allergy treatments and saline nose drops for preventing dryness in the nose.
Leukemia
Nosebleed can be a symptom of leukemia, or cancer of the bone marrow. Leukemia affects 1 out of 1,000 children under the age of 19, according to the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center. Leukemia involves overproduction of white blood cells in the bone marrow. These abnormal cells tend to flood the bloodstream and crowd out the normal blood cells. Since these cells are abnormal and defective, they cannot perform their function of protecting the body against diseases. If your child has frequent nosebleeds associated with weakness, dizziness, bruising, bleeding gums, frequent infections and fever, consult your doctor about a complete blood test to diagnose leukemia.
