Nose Bleeding (Epistaxis) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Tips & Coping Strategies

Nose bleeding in children between the ages of 3 to 10 years are common and are mostly caused from nose picking or dry air. Read on ahead to know what nose bleed is, the types of it, causes and ways to cope up with the same.

What Is Nose Bleeding?

A nose bleed simply means the blood coming out from inside of the nose. This problem is common among younger children when they try to pick their nose or happens even due to dry air. Most nose bleeds aren’t a threat to the child’s health and can be managed at home, although at times medical intervention becomes necessary. They can provoke anxiety in the child as well as the parents. Know more about nose bleeding reasons   

Types Of Nose Bleeds

1. Anterior Nose bleeds:

   This is the most common type of nose bleed where the bleeding begins from a blood vessel on the nasal septum. This kind is easier to bring under control by home remedies or by a doctor

2. Posterior Nose bleeds:

   Being much less common than the anterior nose bleeds, this kind mostly occurs in elderly people. The bleeding usually originates from an artery in the back part of the nose, making it more complicated that usually requires admission to the hospital and management by an otolaryngologist

Causes Of Nose Bleeding:

Most nose bleeds have no definite cause, with trauma to the nose being a common cause for the same. Nosebleeds can be caused by trauma to the outside of the nose from a blow to the face, or trauma to the inside of the nose from nose picking. Other conditions that predispose a child to nosebleeds include:

• Exposure to dry or warm air for longer periods
• Nasal and sinus infections
• Vigorous nose blowing
• Allergic rhinitis
• Nasal surgery
• Deviated nasal septum
• Direct trauma to the nose

Other less common causes of nose bleeds in children include vascular malformations, leukemia, nasal tumors and blood clotting abnormalities.

What Are The Symptoms Of Nose Bleeds?

Usually bleeding occurs only in one nostril. If the bleeding is heavy from one of the nostrils, it can fill up the nostril and cause the blood to overflow in to the nasopharynx, causing bleeding from the other nostril too. Blood can also drip into the back of the throat or down into the stomach, causing a person to spit up or even vomit blood. These are the symptoms of nose bleeds:

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Confusion

Above are the few signs & symptoms of nose bleeing in children or in adults. 

Nose Bleeding Treatment Tips -

A small amount of nose bleed will require mere intervention. For example, if the nose bleed happened due to rigorous nose blowing from cold, an individual must not do so rigorously and should be gentle. In order to stop a nose bleed, one must:

• Remain calm
• Sit straight and lean a bit forward
• Lean the child’s head forward as leaning back will cause the blood to be swallowed
• Pinching the nostrils together, apply direct pressure with the thumb and index finger for approximately 10 minutes. Time it to make sure the nostrils are not released earlier
• Tell your child to spit up the blood if in the mouth as swallowing it can lead to vomiting

Nose Bleeding Coping Strategies -

Here are few nose bleeding coping strategies which we suggest you follow to recover your child ...  

• Try to prevent any further irritation to the nose such as sneezing, rubbing it vigorously and so on
• Do not apply ice packs as it will be of no help
• Allow moisture in the air which will prevent the nose from drying up any further
• Nasal saline sprays or other lubricating ointments or gels also may be useful to promote tissue healing and keeps the nasal passages moist

Aall above are the ways to cope nose bleeds in children.

What If Your Child’s Nose Bleeding Doesn’t Stop At Home?

You need to seek medical intervention for your child’s nose bleed if:

• Frequent episodes of nose bleeding happen
• Additional bleeding happen other than the nose, such as urine or stool
• Easy bruising

Hospital Intervention Is Needed If:

• Nose is still bleeding despite pinching it for 10 to 20 minutes
• If a large amount of blood is lost and if nose bleeding is happening frequently
• If the child feels dizzy
• If the child has rapid heartbeat and troubles in breathing
• Vomiting blood
• Has a rash or high fever
• If the doctor suggest your child to be hospitalized

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