NOSEBLEEDS

Although they can be scary, nosebleeds are rarely cause of alarm. Even if they are quite common in children aged between 3 and 10 years old, nosebleeds are often harmless and  stop on their own.

MOST COMMON CAUSES

• DRY AIR

A dry climate or heated indoor air irritates and dries out nasal membranes.

• COLDS

They can irritate the lining of the nose and bleeding can occur after repeated nose-blowing.

• COLD + DRY WINTER HAIR

The perfect formula for nosebleeds.

• ALLERGIES

Doctors often prescribe medicines such as antihistamines or decongestants to control the discomfort produced by allergies. Nevertheless, this can dry out the nasal membranes and cause nosebleeds.

• INJURIES or BLOWS TO THE NOSE

WHAT TO DO

• First of all, keep calm and rassure the child.
• Tilt his or her head slightly forward with the child upright in a chair.
• Gently pinch the soft part of the nose with a tissue or clean washcloth.
• Keep pressure on the nose for about 10 minutes. Bear in mind that if you stop too soon, bleeding might start again.
• Do NOT have the child lean back. This may cause gagging, coughing or vomiting.
• Let the child relax for a while after a nosebleed. Avoid nose-blowing, picking or any rough play.

CALL THE DOCTOR IF THE CHILD...

• has frequent nosebleeds
• may have put something in his or her nose
• tends to bruise easily
• recently started taking new medicine

SEEK EMERGENCY CARE or CALL THE DOCTOR URGENTLY IF BLEEDING...

• is heavy or accompanied by dizziness or weakness
• is the result of a fall or blow to the head
• it continues after two attempts of applying pressure for 10 minutes each

You will find more useful information in the following videos:

• Dr. Albright from the Kids Doctors explaining what you should do if a child has a nosebleed.

• Dr. Pamela Reber-Beach explaining what you should and should not being doing to treat a bloody nose in an easy, simple and funny way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0DlNxC_jCw