Epitaxis, commonly known as Nose bleeding are common in kids between the ages of 3 to 10 years old, and mostly are caused by nose-picking or dry air. They can be scary, but are rarely cause for alarm. Most will stop on their own and can be easily managed at home.
Allergies also can cause problems, as doctors may prescribe medicine to control an itchy, runny, or stuffy nose. The medicine can dry out nasal membranes, leading to nosebleeds.
An injury or blow to the nose can cause bleeding, but most are not a serious problem. But if your child has a facial injury that causes a bloody nose and you can’t stop the bleeding after 10 minutes or have other concerns about the injury, get medical care right away.
While nosebleeds are rarely serious, there might be a problem if they happen a lot. If your child gets nosebleeds more than once a week, get medical help. Usually, frequent nosebleeds are easily treated.
Sometimes tiny blood vessels inside the nose are irritated and don’t heal, which happens more often in kids with ongoing allergies or who get a lot of colds. A health professional might be able to help in these cases.
There are, actually, two kinds of nosebleeds. An anterior nosebleed occurs when the blood vessels in the front of the nose break and bleed.
A posterior nosebleed occurs in the back or the deepest part of the nose. In this case, blood flows down the back of the throat. Posterior nosebleeds can be dangerous.
Since most nosebleeds in kids are caused by nose-picking or irritation from hot dry air, it can easily be prevented by:
1.) Keeping a child’s nails short to prevent injuries from nose-picking.
2.) Keeping the inside of a child’s nose moist with saline (saltwater) nasal spray or gel, or dab antibiotic ointment gently around the opening of the nostrils.
3.) Run a cool-mist humidifier (or vaporizer) in bedrooms if the air in your home is dry. Keep the machine clean to prevent mildew buildup.
4.) Make sure your kids wear protective athletic equipment during sports or other activities that could cause a nose injury.
5.) Even with proper precautions, kids can still get a bloody nose occasionally especially while playing. So if your child gets a nosebleed take the necessary precautions before getting medical care.
There are many causes of nosebleeds. A sudden or infrequent nosebleed is rarely serious. If you have frequent nosebleeds, you could have a more serious problem.
Dry air is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Living in a dry climate and using a central heating system can dry out the nasal membranes, which are tissues inside the nose.
This dryness causes crusting inside the nose. Crusting may itch or become irritated. If your nose is scratched or picked, it can bleed.
Taking antihistamines and decongestants for allergies, cold, or sinus problems can also dry out the nasal membranes and cause nosebleeds. Frequent nose blowing is another cause of nosebleeds.
Other common causes of nosebleeds include:
- foreign object stuck in the nose
- chemical irritants
- allergic reaction
- injury to the nose
- repeated sneezing
- picking the nose
- cold air
- upper respiratory infection
- large doses of aspirin
Other causes of nosebleeds include:
Most nosebleeds don’t require medical attention. However, you should seek medical attention if your nosebleed lasts longer than 20 minutes, or if it occurs after an injury. This may be a sign of a posterior nosebleed, which is more serious.
Injuries that might cause a nosebleed include a fall, a car accident, or a punch in the face. Nosebleeds that occur after an injury may indicate a broken nose, skull fracture , or internal bleeding.
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