School nurses see it all, but nosebleeds are among the top ailments for elementary school aged children. While it may look like something out of a horror movie to see kids soaking through wadded up tissues in their nostrils, Dr. Shelly Senders, founder and CEO of Senders Pediatrics in South Euclid, says nosebleeds are usually harmless and rarely a cause for concern.
“Nosebleeds in kids are common — occurring in 60 percent of people — but while they are gross and get all over the place, they are almost never serious,” Senders says. “In fact, a child rarely loses more than 2-3 teaspoons.”
All about nosebleeds
The medical term for a bloody nose is epistaxis, which occurs when a blood vessel in the nose lining bursts. Nosebleeds are more common in children than adults because the blood vessels in the lining of their nasal cavities are closer to the surface.
Anterior epistaxis (bleeding from the front of the nose) is almost always caused by local irritation and while annoying, it is rarely dangerous because it either stops on its own or can be stopped by compression. On the other hand, posterior epistaxis (bleeding from the back of the nose) cannot be stopped by compression and often requires medical attention as it can be the sign of a more serious problem.
Seasonal allergies are to blame
Senders says that aside from nasal trauma like a fall or hit to the nose, bloody noses in kids occur during seasons of the year.
“In the winter, because the air is dried by the dehumidified heat being on, or in the spring/summer because of seasonal allergies and more nose picking,” he says.
To combat dryness in the winter, Senders suggests getting a humidifier. In the spring and summer, doctors recommend closing the windows to prevent allergens from getting in.
Additionally, because kids pick more often during these seasons, Senders recommends using a good antihistamine, like Zyrtec or Allegra, which will make noses itch less and reduce the picking or irritation.
“Occasionally, we recommend a nasal steroid like Flonase or Rhinocort which relieves inflammation, but parents have to be careful not to shove the tip in too far for fear of adding to the irritation,” he says.
Nose blowing is not always a good thing
Believe it or not, blowing your nose too hard can cause nosebleeds. Additionally, Senders says that 50 percent of the secretions get blown back into the sinuses, and the preferred way to clear secretion is by gentle wiping.
How to stop nosebleeds in the moment
Senders says the proper way to stop nosebleeds is to sit upright and lean forward, breathe through the mouth and pinch the soft part of the nose and hold it for five minutes and check. If still bleeding, hold for five more minutes.
“If your child gets a lot of nosebleeds, sometimes your doctor can identify the local blood vessel that is causing the problem and may make a referral to an ENT specialist who can touch the bleeding area with a silver nitrate impregnated stick that will chemically cauterize or burn a protective coating on the area,” he says. “This is an office procedure, takes a few seconds and is not painful but it stops the problem in its tracks.”
