Kids get bloody noses and parents won't be too surprised by some of the reasons: picking the nose, a fall or other nose injury, colds or allergies, very dry air and simply blowing the nose too hard. Sticking a toy or other object up the nose can also cause nosebleeds. Fortunately for worried parents, an icepack and a few simple steps are all the treatment most nosebleeds require.
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are messy and even scary, especially if your child has never had one, but usually nothing serious is going on. Most nosebleeds in children are caused by breaks in the tiny blood vessels that line the septum, or the fleshy wall that separates the two sides of the nose. These particular blood vessels inside the nose are very close to the surface and quite fragile, so it doesn't take much to cause a rupture. Parents can expect to care for an occasional nosebleed as a normal part of raising kids.
Home Care
Ignore old recommendations to lie down or tilt the head back. First calm your child, letting her know that getting a nosebleed is a normal part of being a kid. MayoClinic.com recommends having her sit up and leaning forward to keep from swallowing blood, which can be upsetting, and holding a tissue or tissues outside the nostrils. Do not put tissue, gauze or any other substance inside the nose. Have your child hold an icepack -- a bag of frozen peas works well -- or a cold-water compress over the bridge of her nose. Pinch both nostrils together, holding them there gently but firmly for five to 10 minutes. Don't check to see if bleeding has stopped; you need to give the blood time to clot. If after 10 minutes the nose is still bleeding, apply the icepack and pinch the nostrils again.
Professional Help
Only a doctor is qualified to decide on "next steps" if the nosebleed continues, or if it stops but keeps starting again. Call your doctor or otherwise seek medical assistance if you can't stop the nosebleed. Seek medical help if you suspect a nose injury, including a possible fracture or other head trauma, if there is rapid or excessive blood loss or if your child has trouble breathing or feels ill, faint or weak. Also seek help if there is something stuck in the nose, or if your child bruises easily or is bleeding elsewhere.
Prevention
Children can get chronic nosebleeds due to an extended cold or allergies. See your doctor if ongoing allergies are the problem. Teach your child to blow her nose gently -- less forcefully -- and discourage nose picking. Adding a cool mist humidifier to your child's room and running it all night may also help, especially when your home's air is dry. If nostrils are dry or crusty use saline drops or nose spray. Also apply a dab of petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment inside the nostrils frequently, especially at bedtime, to help keep the inner nostril tissues moist.
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