Nosebleed (Epistaxis) in Children

What is a nosebleed in children?

A nosebleed is haemorrhage from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken blood vessel. The medical word for nosebleed is epistaxis. Most nosebleeds in children occur in the front end function of the nose shut to the nostrils. This function of the nose has many tiny blood vessels. These can be damaged hands.

A nosebleed can await scary, only is usually not a serious problem. Nosebleeds are common in children. They happen more often in dry climates. They also happen more than during the winter. That'southward when dry heat in homes and buildings tin cause drying, peachy, and crusting within the olfactory organ. Many children outgrow nosebleeds during their teen years.

What causes a nosebleed in a child?

Nosebleeds tin can be caused past many things. Some common causes include:

  • Dry out air
  • Picking the nose
  • Blowing the nose too hard
  • Injury to the nose
  • Colds and allergies
  • Object in the olfactory organ

In many cases, no specific cause for a nosebleed is found.

Which children are at risk for a nosebleed?

A child may be more at risk for nosebleed if he or she:

  • Lives in a dry climate
  • Picks his or her nose
  • Has allergies
  • Has a common cold

What are the symptoms of a nosebleed in a kid?

The main symptom of a nosebleed is blood dripping or running from the nose. Bleeding from the mucus membranes in the front end of the olfactory organ comes from simply one nostril. Haemorrhage higher upwardly in the nasal crenel may come from both nostrils. It may be painless. Or your child may take pain caused by an injury or an area of sore tissue inside the olfactory organ.

The symptoms of a nosebleed can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is a nosebleed diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider volition ask about your child's symptoms and health history. He or she may also inquire near any contempo accidents or injuries. He or she will requite your kid a physical test.

How is a nosebleed treated in a child?

  • At-home and condolement your kid.
  • Have your child sit upwardly and lean forward slightly. Don't have your child lie down. This is to prevent him or her from swallowing blood. Swallowing blood may brand your child vomit. Don't have your child put his or her head between the knees. This can make bleeding worse.
  • Tell your child to breathe out of his or her mouth. Gently pinch the nostrils closed for 5 to 10 minutes. Don't end pinching to cheque if bleeding has stopped.
  • Apply a cold compress to the bridge of the nose. Don't put tissues or gauze in your kid's nose.
  • If bleeding does not stop, repeat the above steps again.
  • Once the bleeding stops, tell your child not to rub, pick, or accident his or her nose for 2 to 3 days. This will permit the broken blood vessel heal.

If your kid'south nose doesn't end bleeding, accept him or her to see the healthcare provider. In some cases a provider may use heat to close a claret vessel. This is called cauterization. Information technology is a quick process. Talk with your kid'southward healthcare providers nigh the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments.

How can I help prevent a nosebleed in my child?

If your child has nosebleeds ofttimes, yous can help prevent them in these ways:

  • Run a cool mist humidifier in your child's room at night, if the air in your dwelling is dry out. Clean the humidifier regularly and so germs and mold don't abound in it.
  • Teach your child not to selection his or her nose or blow information technology as well difficult.
  • Put petroleum jelly inside your child's nostrils several times a twenty-four hour period. This is to help protect the mucus membranes.
  • Use saltwater (saline) nose drops or spray as directed past your kid's healthcare provider.
  • Talk with your child'due south healthcare provider if your child has allergies that may lead to nosebleeds.
  • Don't smoke in the home or around your child.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call the healthcare provider if:

  • You can't stop the nosebleed
  • The olfactory organ bleeds again
  • Your kid has an injury to the head or face
  • In that location is a large amount of blood
  • Your kid feels faint, weak, ill, or has trouble breathing
  • Your child has bleeding from other parts of the body, such as in the stool, urine, or gums, or bruises easily
  • An object is stuck in your kid's nose

Key points near a nosebleed in children

  • A nosebleed is bleeding from tissues inside the nose (nasal mucus membranes) caused by a broken claret vessel.
  • A nosebleed can look scary, but is usually non a serious problem. Nosebleeds are mutual in children. They happen more often in dry climates. They also happen more during the wintertime. That's when dry oestrus in homes and buildings can cause drying, cracking, and crusting inside the olfactory organ.
  • Nosebleeds can exist caused by many things, such as dry out air, nose picking, and allergies. In many cases, no specific cause for a nosebleed is found.
  • Have your child sit upwardly and lean forward slightly. Don't take your child lie down. This is to prevent him or her from swallowing blood. Swallowing blood may make your kid vomit.
  • Gently pinch the nostrils airtight for 5 to 10 minutes. Don't stop pinching to check if bleeding has stopped.
  • Run a absurd mist humidifier in your kid'southward room at nighttime, if the air in your home is dry. Teach your kid not to choice his or her nose or blow information technology likewise difficult. Apply petroleum jelly inside your child'due south nostrils several times a day.

Next steps

Tips to help you become the nigh from a visit to your child's healthcare provider:

  • Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
  • Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
  • At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down whatsoever new instructions your provider gives you for your kid.
  • Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your kid. Also know what the side effects are.
  • Ask if your kid'southward status can exist treated in other means.
  • Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
  • Know what to await if your child does not take the medicine or accept the test or process.
  • If your child has a follow-upward appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
  • Know how you tin can contact your child's provider afterwards role hours. This is important if your child becomes sick and you have questions or demand advice.
Jonathan Walsh with patient

Johns Hopkins Pediatric Otolaryngology

Our pediatric otolaryngologists are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive treat children with ear, olfactory organ, and pharynx conditions. As role of the Johns Hopkins Children'southward Heart, you lot have access to all the specialized resources of a children'due south hospital. Your child will also do good from experts who use avant-garde techniques to care for both common and rare weather condition.