Oh No, Another Nose Bleed

Nosebleeds are common in kids, and most are caused by nose-picking, dry air, or a cold or allergies. An injury or blow to the nose can cause bleeding, but most aren't a serious problem. Nose bleeds can be scary, but are rarely cause for alarm. Most will stop quickly and can be easily managed at home.

What can you do?

• Stay calm. If you get nervous it can make you bleed more.
• Sit up, don't lie down.
• Lean a little bit forward. This keeps the blood from draining down the back of your throat and stomach.
• Pinch your nostrils closed for 10 minutes. This puts pressure on the part of your nose that is bleeding and will make the blood clot.

Call the doctor if:

• Your child has nosebleeds often.
• Your child may have put something in his or her nose.
• Your child tends to bruise or bleed easily.
• Your child recently started taking new medicine.

Seek emergency care or call the doctor if:

• The bleeding is heavy, or accompanied by dizziness or weakness.
• The bleeding is the result of a fall or blow to the head or face.

How to prevent nosebleeds:

• Keep your child's nails short to prevent injuries from nose-picking.

• Keep the inside of your child's nose moist with saline (saltwater) nasal spray. You can also dab antibiotic ointment gently around the opening of the nostrils.
• Run a cool-mist humidifier (or vaporizer) in bedrooms.
• Make sure your kids wear protective athletic equipment during sports or other activities that could cause a nose injury.

Even with proper precautions, kids can still get a bloody nose occasionally. If your child gets a nosebleed, don't panic. They're usually harmless and are almost always easy to stop.