Nosebleeds can seemingly come out of nowhere when your child is playing outside or waking up in the morning. While nosebleeds are very common and usually nothing to worry about, they can be frustrating to deal with. In rare cases, they may indicate a larger problem.
In this Q&A, Pediatrician Stephen Turner, MD, from Mount Sinai Doctors-Brooklyn Heights, discusses some of the common causes of nosebleeds, some tips to avoid nosebleeds, and how to treat them.
Why do some kids get nosebleeds?
The number one cause is dry air. As the seasons change and the weather gets warmer or colder, nosebleeds occur more often. Nosebleeds are also heritable—your child is likely to have them if you or their other parent did.
Stephen Turner, MD
What happens when you have a nosebleed?
A nosebleed involves the loss of blood from the tissue lining the nose. The lining is called mucosa, which has an abundant blood supply. However, the front of the nose can dry out easily because of regular airflow, causing blood vessels to crack. Bleeding typically occurs in one nostril, but it can also occur in the mouth. Our mouths are also lined with mucosa, but rarely bleed because they are moist.
How can I prevent my child from having nosebleeds?
Keep their nose moist, especially during a change in season, and minimize future nosebleeds. Ways to prevent nose bleeds include:
- Add more moisture to the air with a humidifier.
- Use saline salt-water sprays and lubricating gels to keep the lining of the nose moist.
- Apply ointment like petroleum jelly in your child’s nostrils before bedtime and early in the morning.
- Help your child avoid blowing their nose by treating their colds or allergies.
- Teach your child not to pick or scratch their nose, which can re-open the nosebleed and create an ongoing cycle.
- Put gloves or socks over their hands at bedtime to keep them from picking their nose when they are sleeping.
- If your child needs to blow their nose, do not to rub or irritate the nose too much.
- Make sure they stay hydrated and drink a lot of water.
- Help their nose heal with antibiotic creams like mupirocin.
How can I treat my child’s nosebleed?
- With your child sitting up, tilt their head forward and pinch the nostrils together for 5 to 10 minutes and apply steady pressure so the blood coagulates.
- Do not insert tissues in the nose as this can cause further bleeding.
- Do not tilt your child’s head back—this can cause choking or the blood to go down the throat.
- Apply an icepack or a frozen pack of vegetables to the nose to shrink down the blood vessels.
How do I know if my child’s nosebleed needs medical treatment?
If the nosebleed keeps recurring, or lasts more than 15 minutes, or there is excessive blood (up to eight ounces), go to the emergency room or visit your pediatrician.