Nosebleeds are very common throughout childhood as children’s nasal lining are often much thinner before they reach puberty. Aside from rubbing and picking, vigorous and repeated blowing of the nose can also cause bleeding. Childhood nosebleeds are more common among children with nasal allergies. They can be frightening but are not cause for panic. 

Treating nosebleeds in children

Lean your child forward – Lean your child forward so that he or she does not swallow any blood. Take the child to the basin and ask him/her to spit any blood that drips down his throat. 

Squeeze the soft part of the nose - Pinch the upper portion of the soft part of your child’s nose against the center nasal wall for 10 minutes, without releasing pressure. During this time, ask your child to inhale through his/her mouth.

Use vasoconstrictor nose drops - If the bleeding does not stop, add vasoconstrictor nose drops or petroleum jelly on a piece of gauze and insert it into the nostril. Squeeze your child’s nose again for 10 minutes and leave the gauze in for another 10 minutes before removing it. 

Dont’s

Don’t put any cold washcloth to the forehead, back of the neck, bridge of the nose, or under the upper lip.  Do not apply pressure on the bony segment of the nose. Avoid packing of the nose with anything as the nosebleed may recur once the packing is removed.

Tips for preventing nosebleed

Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly twice a day to the septum (the cartilage that separates the nostrils) is often helpful for relieving dryness and irritation. Avoid aspirin as it may increase the tendency for bleeding in your body and can make nosebleeds last much longer than necessary. Encourage your child to add two or three drops of warm water in each nostril before blowing a stuffy nose.

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.