In medicine, a nosebleed is known as “epistaxis.” Nosebleeds can happen in either nostril or both. When blood comes out of the tissue that lines the inside of the nose, it’s called a bruise. Most of the time, it only affects one nose.

Most of the time, children bleed from the front of their nose, near their lips. There are many small blood arteries all over this part of the nose. These are easy to break. 

Though a nosebleed can appear scary, there usually is little reason for worry. Epistaxis in children often occurs. They happen more often where it’s dry. Also, they happen more often in the winter. At this point, dry heat in buildings and homes can make the inside of the nose dry out, crack, and crust over. A lot of children stop getting nosebleeds when they are teenagers. Most nosebleeds aren’t dangerous, but they are annoying.

In medicine, a nosebleed is known as “epistaxis.” Nosebleeds can happen in either nostril or both. When blood comes out of the tissue that lines the inside of the nose, it’s called a bruise. Most of the time, it only affects one nose.

Most of the time, children bleed from the front of their nose, near their lips. There are many small blood arteries all over this part of the nose. These are easy to break.

Though a nosebleed can appear scary, there usually is little reason for worry. Epistaxis in children often occurs. They happen more often where it’s dry. Also, they happen more often in the winter. At this point, dry heat in buildings and homes can make the inside of the nose dry out, crack, and crust over. A lot of children stop getting nosebleeds when they are teenagers. Most nosebleeds aren’t dangerous, but they are annoying.

What are causes of epistaxis in children?

Epistaxis in children can be caused by a variety of factors, including

1. Dryness: Prolonged exposure to dry air causes nasal membranes to lose water, increasing the risk of bleeding. So, kids may get nosebleeds more often in places or times when it’s dry. Itching, picking, or being hit in the nose can damage blood vessels and make the nose dry. This can lead to epistaxis.
2. Children are often more likely to hurt their noses: A nosebleed can happen if the nose is hit directly, like if someone gets hit in the nose while playing ball or falls on their face. This is because when the nose is hurt, blood vessels inside it burst right away.

Moreover, picking or rubbing your nose can result in nasal bleeding.

3. Blowing nose too hard could irritate it and raise the risk of bleeding from burst blood vessels.
4. Things in the nose: Kids sometimes poke things in their noses, either on purpose or by mistake. In addition, this could also break and bleed the blood vessels inside.
5. Allergies: There are many possible reasons why children get allergies and colds. For example, they might make the child blow, rub, and scratch their nose over and over, which would dry it out.
6. Weird tissue growth: Epistaxis can also be caused by nose tissue growing in a weird way.

Which children are at risk for epistaxis?

If these are more likely symptoms of epistaxis in children:

• who lives in a dry area
• picks at their nose.
• having a cold
• has allergies

Symptoms of Epistaxis

The main sign of epistaxis in children is blood leaking from the nose. One hole is the source of the bleeding from the nasal membrane in front of the nose. Higher up in the nasal cavity, either nose can start to bleed. It might not hurt at all. Your child may be in pain, though, because they have an injury or a sore spot in their nose.

The signs of a nosebleed can look like those of other health problems

Managing epistaxis:

1. Give your kid peace and comfort.
2. Tell your kid to lean forward and sit up straight. Do not let your kids lie down. This is to keep them from eating blood. Your kid might vomit if they eat blood. Keep your kid’s head away from their legs. This could make the wound bleed more.
3. Do not let your child breathe through their mouth. Slowly close your nose for five to ten minutes. Pinch it again and again to make sure the blood stops coming out.
4. On the bridge of your nose, put a cold pack. Tape or tissues should not be put inside your child’s nose.
5. Do what you were told again if the bleeding doesn’t stop.
6. After the nose stops bleeding, tell your child not to pick it, blow it, or massage it for two to three days. This will help the blood vessel get better faster.

If your child’s nose keeps bleeding, you should take them to the doctor.

When to seek immediate medical care?

If your child’s nose keeps running, you should take them to see a doctor. There is no better person to talk to than those who fix ears, noses, and throats.

These are some other illnesses that need to be treated by a doctor:

• bleeding from the nose a lot or all the time.

• being sick and hurting your head or face and nose…

• Your child is sick, can’t breathe, or feels weak or faint.

• Your child is more likely to get hurt and may bleed when they poop, chew, or pee.

• The child’s nose is full of something. If something gets stuck in the nose, it’s usually best to have a professional take it out and treat any nose damage.

Preventions:

For nosebleeds to stop, you need to know how to do it before they start as well as after they start.

• Get rid of fingernails. Kids often get nosebleeds when their nails are too long or too pointy. Long nails make it easy for kids who pick at their mouths to scrape the inside of their ears. You are less likely to hurt or scratch the blood vessels in the front of your nose if your nails are short.
• Keep things and fingernails out of reach. Many little kids pick their faces, and it’s important to teach them not to. If your child picks their nose a lot, they might still get nosebleeds even if their nails are short. Also, don’t put anything on your nose. Tell your kid over and over again not to rub their nose.
• By slowly blowing your nose. Little ones shouldn’t blow their mouths hard because it can make them bleed.
• In the winter, put a cool vaporizer or heater in your child’s room at night to keep their cheeks wet. It will keep them from getting dry and bleeding from the nose.
• Use a nose balm. Stick on medicines with petroleum jelly, like Aquaphor or Vaseline, to keep the inside of your nose wet.
• Saline nose spray: This can help kids with colds stop nosebleeds. At least twice a day, spray each nose.