During a child’s early years, parents and guardians will encounter different types of health concerns and worries. One thing a child will experience at least once is a nosebleed. It’s even more concerning if your child gets them regularly. Parents should note that this is not an abnormal occurrence, but it can be very frightening for adults and children alike.
If you want to learn how to handle chronic nosebleeds in children, keep reading.
Why Do Children Have Chronic Nosebleeds?
1. Trauma
Nosebleeds in children can be caused by picking the nose, excessively rubbing the nose, or trauma to the area, such as bumping or getting hit by an object in the nose.
2. Abnormal Blood Clotting
Blood clotting is a process by which blood cell components called platelets collect at a site of injury and form a clot over the wound site. This usually happens to prevent excessive bleeding. In some instances, the platelets do not work correctly, thus causing nosebleeds.
3. Low Humidity
Children who live in a low-humidity environment are also at risk of having chronic nosebleeds. This is because exposure to low humidity can cause nasal mucosa to dry out and form cracks that can cause nosebleeds.
4. Allergies
Allergies in children can result in chronic nosebleeds because of inflammation of the nasal membranes leading to blood vessel damage and bleeding.
5. Chronic Illness
Children who regularly suffer from chronic illnesses can also develop chronic nosebleeds, especially if they take various types of medication or require oxygen.
Dos and Don’ts in Handling Nosebleeds
1. Don’t Panic
The most important thing you can do when handling a nosebleed in a child is to remain calm. Panic can further aggravate the situation and lead to more severe nosebleeds.
2. Do Keep Your Child Sitting or Standing
Make sure that your child is sitting up or standing with the head slightly tilted forward to help drain blood from the nose. Letting the blood flow out of the nose will prevent further bleeding.
3. Don’t Apply Pressure
This is a common mistake that many people make when handling nosebleeds in children. Applying pressure can cause the flow of blood to be restricted and the blood vessels to break.
4. Do Stay Close to the Child
Make sure you are within easy reach of your child in case he or she gets dizzy or weak and needs your help. If you are in a public place, you may want to move to a more private area.
5. Don’t Let Your Child Lie Down
If you want to let your child lie down, make sure he or she is lying on the side with the head tipped forward and the mouth kept closed. This position will help prevent the blood from flowing from the nose back down the throat, which can lead to choking and poor breathing.
6. Do Call Your Pediatrician for Proper Guidance
If the nosebleed doesn’t stop after a few minutes, or if it is the first nosebleed your child has experienced, you may need to consult the pediatrician for further guidance.
Final Thoughts
As a parent, helping your child through a nosebleed is very important. Take the time to read up on the causes of nosebleeds and how to handle them. This will put your mind at ease and allow you to act fast should a nosebleed occur.
For emergency cases like nosebleeds, don’t hesitate to contact us at Your Kids Urgent Care. We offer pediatric telemedicine in Orlando, FL, so your child can be assessed, diagnosed, and advised without having to drive out or wait in line. Download our app or call us today for more information.
