How to manage children's nosebleeds
The nose is a part of the body rich in blood vessels and is situated in a vulnerable position as it protrudes on the face. As a result, trauma to the face can cause nasal injury and bleeding. Nosebleeds can happen if a cold or allergy irritates the inner nose as well. Touching and poking the inner nose can cause nosebleeds. Hard nose blowing can cause nosebleeds. Nosebleeds can start after the nose is hit or bumped. Nosebleeds are common in the winter when the air is dry. Who can get it?
Nosebleeds are common in children. Children who have veins close to the skin in their nose will likely get more nosebleeds than other children. How are nosebleeds managed?
Stay calm and reassure your child. Sitting is best. Have the child lean forward with head down. If your child is hurt and needs to lies down, prop head up on pillows. If your child has blood in mouth, s/he should spit it out. Apply pressure to the nose by squeezing the nostrils together. Hold for 10 minutes. Do not peek to see if the bleeding has stopped. If bleeding does not stop, press ice or a towel soaked in cold water on the ridge of the nose. Do not stick tissues, gauze or other things into the nose. Have your child avoid rough activities where the nose could be bumped. Release a sneeze through the mouth instead of the nose. Blow the nose gently if needed. How long does it last and how it can be prevented?
Bleeding should stop within 10-15 minutes. Nosebleeds take time for the nose to heal. For a few days after a nosebleed, do as follows: Use a cool mist vaporiser or humidifier or a wet towel near bed at night to keep the air moist. Clean daily with water. Gently put a little petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) inside the nose with your fingertip to keep it moist. Discourage the child from picking her nose. Use Saline Nose Drops to keep the nose moist. Drops will keep blood from crusting. Even when taking proper precautions, kids can still get a bloody nose occasionally. So the next time your child gets a nosebleed, try not to panic. They are usually harmless and are almost always easy to stop. When should you visit a doctor? Visit the doctor if —
* bleeding lasts for longer than 15 minutes after pinching the nose without peeking * your child has many nosebleeds * your child has blood in his/her stool, urine, tears, ears, throat or gums * your child bruises easily or if blood from injuries is hard to stop * your child has a flat, purplish-red rash on his/her skin * your child looks sick or pale * your child is unusually tired or weak * there is a large amount of blood * your child has an object stuck inside the nose. The writer works in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology of Washington University School of Medicine, USA. E-mail: zmridha@yahoo.com
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