Most nosebleeds look worse than they are. In other words,
nosebleeds are messy, a little uncomfortable, and sometimes even
scary, but they are usually no big deal.
Kids can get nosebleeds once in a while or more often. The
nosebleeds that are most common in kids usually occur near the
front of the nose, on the wall separating the two sides of the nose
(the septum), and usually start from just one nostril. Sometimes
nosebleeds start further back in the nose, but this is rare and
occurs mostly in older people or those who have high blood pressure
or injuries to their nose or face.
What Causes Nosebleeds?
Most nosebleeds occur when little blood vessels that line the
inside of your nose break and bleed. These blood vessels are very
fragile and lie very close to the surface, which makes them easy
targets for injury. Common reasons are:
- nose picking or sticking something up the nose
- a cold or allergy, especially with sneezing, coughing, and
nose blowing
- dry, heated, indoor air (often occurring during winter),
which causes the inside of the nose to become cracked, crusted,
and itchy
Less often, injuries to the outside of the nose, face, or head
can cause nosebleeds. If this happens, you need to see a doctor
right away. You can help prevent these types of nosebleeds by
wearing protective gear, such as helmets for hockey, football, and
baseball.
If You Get Nosebleeds
You know that you should see a doctor if your nosebleed was
caused by an injury, such as a punch. But what if it just starts
bleeding on its own? Follow these steps:
- Don't lie down. Sit up or stand.
- Use tissues or a damp washcloth to catch the blood.
- Tip your head forward (don't lean your head back; this
can make blood run down your throat).
- Pinch the soft part of your nose together (just below the
bony part of your nose) and breathe through your mouth. Do this
for 10 minutes. Make sure you hold the pressure for 10 minutes
without stopping.
- Do not pick, rub, or blow your nose - this can cause your
nose to bleed more.
- Ask a friend or parent to keep an eye on the time so that you
keep pinching your nose for the full 10 minutes. If your
nosebleed doesn't stop, pinch it for another 10 minutes. If
it still hasn't stopped, your mom, dad, or another adult
should speak with a doctor.
Here are some other cases when you need to see the doctor or
visit the emergency department:
- You feel dizzy, weak, or faint.
- Your nose is bleeding fast or you seem to be losing a lot of
blood.
- You just started taking a new medicine.
- You have other symptoms, such as unusual bruising all over
your body.
Nixing Nosebleeds
If you'd like to get fewer nosebleeds, what can you do?
Well, don't pick your nose or stick anything else up your nose.
Also, avoid blowing your nose too forcefully and if you have nasal
allergies, see a doctor about them. If you get your allergies under
control, your nose probably won't be as stuffy and
irritated.
When the inside of your nose feels dry and itchy, it can be
tempting to pick it, so talk to your mom or dad about using one or
two of these strategies to keep it moist:
- Use a saline (saltwater) nasal spray or saline nose drops two
or three times a day.
- Place a small amount of a water-based gel (not Vaseline) on
the end of a cotton swab. Carefully insert the swab into the
nostril and gently apply the gel to the center wall of nose.
Never insert the swab further than the cotton tip. Using your
fingertip to apply the gel works well, too.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom. Humidifiers send a fine
mist of water into the air and this keeps the air from being too
dry. When the air is damp your nose is less likely to feel dry
inside. In fact, one doctor said a humidifier is "like a
vacation for your nose"!
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: April 2006
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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