Why does a child have nosebleeds: causes and prevention. Why does a child bleed from the nose: causes and treatment of nosebleeds at home Bloody nose for a 6-month-old child

Nosebleeds in childhood are a common phenomenon, which, however, is quite harmless if it does not last long and is repeated infrequently. The fact is that the nasal mucosa in children is thin and sensitive to various influences - mechanical damage, pressure changes, the effects of medications, etc. But if a child's nose bleeds frequently, or the blood flows for too long, parents should make sure that everything is in order with his health.

Frequent nosebleeds in children can be associated with fragility of blood vessels, dry mucous membrane, and in more rare cases, with disorders such as atrophic rhinitis, high blood pressure, decreased platelet counts, etc.

Let's talk in more detail about diseases accompanied by nosebleeds, as well as how to stop nosebleeds without harming the child's health.

Why does my nose start bleeding?

The human nasal cavity is lined with a dense capillary network, if the integrity of which is violated, bleeding occurs. This happens quite often with children, since their mucous membrane has a very thin epithelial layer. Interestingly, children under one year of age rarely bleed from the nose, and the peak frequency of nosebleeds corresponds to 3-6 years. This is thought to be due to a growth spurt during this period.

What can cause disruption of the integrity of a blood vessel? Firstly, this is a mechanical effect - picking the nose, sharply blowing the nose. Secondly, these are internal reasons - changes in pressure, impaired elasticity of blood vessels, etc.

In any case, if the damage is small, it is quickly blocked by a blood clot. If this does not happen, and the blood flows for a long time, it means that for some reason the hemocoagulation system (blood clotting) is disrupted.

Possible violations

If a child bleeds from the nose every day, or bleeding occurs several times a month, it is very unlikely that mechanical damage to the mucous membrane is to blame. The child needs to be examined, and then the factor causing bleeding must be excluded.

Fragility of blood vessels

A common cause of private nosebleeds, especially in children, is fragility of the vessels of the nasal cavity. What it is? This condition is expressed in the weakness of blood vessels, their instability to physical and emotional stress, changes in pressure and temperature.

It is known that one of the reasons for the fragility of nasal vessels is the frequent use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops.

Such drops can influence the muscles of blood vessels, causing a decrease in their diameter, thereby relieving swelling and restoring nasal breathing. With prolonged use of vasoconstrictors, various side effects may develop, including fragility of blood vessels.

Another cause of vascular fragility is inhalation of tobacco smoke. Do not smoke in the house, even if the child is not in the room at the time - smoke remains in the air, and inhaling even a small amount of nicotine has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.

Dry mucous membranes

A very common cause of nosebleeds in childhood is an insufficient amount of moisturizing mucus in the nose. The fact is that dehydrated mucous membrane becomes inelastic, and therefore less resistant to mechanical stress, pressure changes, etc. In addition, in children with dry mucous membranes, dry crusts often accumulate in the nasal passages. By tearing them off, the child may cause bleeding.

Make sure that the room (as well as the kindergarten, school) maintains normal air humidity. This not only reduces the likelihood of nosebleeds, but also speeds up recovery from coughs and runny noses.

Anatomical features

If the capillary network is located too close to the surface of the mucosa, the likelihood of damage increases significantly. Bleeding in this case can be caused by picking the nose, a viral infection, visiting a bathhouse, or other stress. Usually the same vessel is damaged, most often part of the Kisselbach plexus. For children whose nosebleeds are associated with a problem such as the superficial location of the capillary network, cauterization of the vessels is recommended.

Another anatomical cause of nosebleeds is a deviated nasal septum. This disorder is also treated surgically.

Atrophic rhinitis

Atrophic rhinitis is called chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa, accompanied by drying out and gradual thinning of the mucous membrane, and then the underlying tissues - cartilage and bones of the nose. The disease occurs very rarely in children, at least 10 years of age.

One of the characteristic symptoms of atrophic rhinitis is frequent but scanty nosebleeds. In addition, the following symptoms are observed:

drying of the nasal mucosa;
constant accumulation of dry crusts in the nose, as well as dried blood;
dullness of smell;
From time to time the patient blows out a small amount of dark, thick mucus.

Treatment for atrophic rhinitis includes the use of moisturizing and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays and ointments.

Bleeding disorders

Frequent and prolonged nosebleeds accompany many diseases of the coagulation system. The fact is that the nasal mucosa is often damaged, but in a healthy person these microdamages are almost instantly covered by platelets, fibrin, and other proteins that form a clot. This does not happen in a person with slow clotting, which is why nosebleeds occur very often.

In addition to nosebleeds, a person with a bleeding disorder will experience symptoms such as:

the appearance of bruises for no apparent reason;
long healing of abrasions and bruises;
bleeding gums;
blood in stool, urine, nasal discharge during a runny nose.

Bleeding disorders are not just one disease - there are dozens of hereditary and non-hereditary pathologies, as a result of which the rate of formation of blood clots is reduced.

Accordingly, there is no universal treatment. Each patient undergoes examinations to determine which clotting factor is missing in the body. After this, treatment is prescribed; This usually involves intravenous administration of drugs prepared from donated blood.

Treatment

What to do if your nose bleeds frequently? Firstly, you should determine the cause of it, since the treatment for frequent nosebleeds depends on the disease behind it. It is very difficult to determine on your own what exactly is wrong in a child’s body - it is better to entrust this to specialists. Consultation with a pediatrician is necessary if:

nosebleeds begin to flow at the slightest physical or even emotional stress;
you discover that your child has constant bruises and wounds that do not heal for a long time;
blood comes not only from the nose, but also, for example, from the ear, gums, etc.;
once the bleeding begins, it does not stop for 20 minutes or more;
nosebleeds occur regularly, more often than twice a month;
blood flows not from one nostril, but from both (this means that the damaged vessel is located deep in the nasal cavity - it is more difficult to stop such bleeding).

Have you noticed any of the following symptoms? We take the child and go to the doctor. First of all, the pediatrician or ENT will examine the child’s nasopharynx - this will provide information about the degree of moisture of the mucous membrane, the presence of inflammation, pus, dry crusts, etc. Next, you will be referred for a general clinical blood test. Among other things, this test allows you to determine the clotting time of the blood, as well as the number of platelets (blood cells involved in healing). If necessary, another biochemical blood test will be prescribed, which can identify abnormalities in the amount of proteins involved in the formation of blood clots. These studies are usually sufficient to prescribe appropriate treatment.

First aid

What should you do if blood is already running from your child’s nose? Parents should follow this algorithm:

The child needs to be calmed and sat down. He should sit with a slight lean forward.

Lying down or throwing your head back during nosebleeds is not recommended - blood will flow through the nasopharynx into the esophagus, and then into the stomach. If the bleeding is severe, this can lead to vomiting blood.

Don't plug the nostrils with cotton - instead, squeeze the soft part of your baby's nose so that no blood comes out. This works like tightly bandaging a wound - the blood stops flowing in a stream, and platelets have time to form a clot at the site of damage to the blood vessel.
You need to sit in this position for exactly ten minutes. You can apply an ice pack to the bridge of your nose - under the influence of cold, the blood vessels narrow and the bleeding stops faster.
After 10 minutes, the nose can be released. If the blood starts flowing again, repeat the procedure, waiting another 10 minutes. If this does not help, call the doctor.

After the bleeding has stopped, you need to avoid strenuous physical exertion for a couple of days, do not blow your nose very hard, and, of course, do not touch the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, otherwise the blood may start flowing again.

Surgery

Cauterization of blood vessels is a quick and effective procedure indicated for the presence of blood vessels in the nasal cavity that are prone to bleeding. The essence of the procedure is to destroy the bleeding vessel. There are several types of this operation, the most common of which are silver and laser cauterization.

Often after surgery, a crust (wound) forms on the mucous membrane and swelling occurs; There is no need to worry about this - in a few days the mucous membrane will be completely restored, and the functions of the destroyed vessel will be taken over by the neighboring capillaries.

After the operation, the doctor will prescribe vitamin supplements, for example, Ascorutin. This drug contains vitamin C and rutin, which are necessary to maintain the elasticity and strength of blood vessels.

Let's talk about what to do if a child periodically bleeds from the nose. For children prone to nosebleeds, it is recommended:

ride a bike, run, play outdoor games - such light aerobic exercise trains the heart muscle and increases the elasticity of blood vessels;
light hardening procedures - contrast shower, swimming in a river, lake, washing with cold water, walking in frosty weather (also has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels);
in winter, often use moisturizing salt drops for the nose, and if you feel severe dryness in the nose, lubricate the mucous membrane with oils;
ventilate the room before going to bed;
drink enough water;
eat foods containing vitamins C and K, you can also take a course of the drug Ascorutin;
treat the nasal mucosa with care - do not pick your nose, do not blow your nose very sharply, limit the use of vasoconstrictor drops, be wary of traditional methods (do not put undiluted juices in your nose, do not breathe in hot steam, etc.).

The described recommendations help if frequent bleeding in a child is caused by dry mucous membranes and fragility of blood vessels. If coagulation disorders are detected, this will not be enough - long-term complex treatment will be required.

The structure of the nasal mucosa is determined by the functions it performs - the air in the nasal cavity must be moistened, purified and heated. In order for heating to occur as quickly as possible, the mucous membrane is densely supplied with blood vessels that come very close to its surface. That is why the mucous membrane is very vulnerable - bleeding begins at the slightest damage.

information In childhood, bleeding occurs quite often, because the child’s nose is at increased risk of injury (frequent falls, nose picking).

Classification

Nosebleeds (epistaxis) are divided into two types:

Front– if the anterior lower part of the septum is damaged. This type accounts for over 90% of nosebleeds. They are relatively scarce and stop quickly.
Rear– a much rarer type of nosebleeds when the middle or posterior part of the septum is damaged. These bleedings are profuse and prolonged.

Causes of nosebleeds in children

The causes of nosebleeds in children are conventionally divided into local(local) and are common(system).

Local injuries include trauma to the nasal mucosa:

due to falls and impacts;
due to foreign bodies entering the nose;
as a result of inflammatory processes during.

In addition, the reason that a baby’s nose is bleeding may be dry indoor air (this happens quite often in apartments during the heating season), anatomical deformations and tumors, degeneration of the mucous membrane, and the use of nasal drops and sprays.

Systemic causes of nosebleeds include:

allergic diseases;
hypertension (high blood pressure);
hyperthermia (fever);
blood and vascular diseases;
connective tissue diseases;
hypovitaminosis;
some hormonal disorders.

How to stop a child's nose from bleeding

The technique for stopping nosebleeds in children is not much different from that in adults. The main distinguishing feature is that, as a rule, a child gets scared when his nose bleeds. Accordingly, the first thing you need to do is calm him down and only then take measures to stop the bleeding.

The baby needs to be seated, slightly tilted forward.

dangerous A common mistake is laying the baby down or throwing her head back. This cannot be done, because... this risks blood entering the respiratory tract or the esophagus and stomach. And this, in turn, can cause breathing problems, vomiting and all sorts of complications.

For minor bleeding It is enough to insert cotton or bandage swabs into the affected nostril (or both nostrils), and apply cold (for example, gauze moistened with cold water) to the wings of the nose. You can place a bottle of cold water on the back of your head.
For more severe nosebleeds Nasal tamponade is performed by moistening the tampon with hemostatic drugs (thrombin, hemostatic sponge, etc.). If this does not help, urgent hospitalization is necessary. In the hospital, posterior nasal packing is performed using appropriate medications.

When to see a doctor? Frequent or heavy nosebleeds!

In case of heavy bleeding, you must consult a doctor (at the emergency room) immediately, otherwise it risks significant blood loss and can be life-threatening.

important If bleeding through the nose occurs frequently, even if the bleeding is minor, this is also a serious reason to visit a doctor. Frequent nosebleeds can be a sign of a serious disease such as hemophilia, so they should not be left without due attention.

In addition, an unpleasant consequence of frequent bleeding can be anemia, leading to a general deterioration in the child’s health.

Nosebleeds are a common pathology that often occurs in childhood. In most cases, the condition does not cause concern, but sometimes it is fraught with quite serious consequences.

Nosebleeds and its types in a child

Nasal blood loss is the leakage of blood fluid from the nasal sinuses due to damage to the walls of blood vessels.

It is observed in 60% of children. Mostly unpleasant manifestations occur between the ages of 2 and 10 years, with a peak between 3 and 8 years.

You can often stop it yourself using simple methods (cold, hydrogen peroxide). If there is a lot of bleeding, and this is repeated with enviable consistency, you should definitely pay attention, since the pathology can lead to dangerous complications.

It is important to find out the cause of the unpleasant symptom, since this condition is caused by somatic or infectious diseases.

According to doctors, ENT departments treat about 10% of patients who were taken to the hospital with severe nosebleeds.

There are two types of bleeding:

anterior - originates from the front of the nose, usually on one side only. Accounts for about 90% of all nosebleeds. Localization occurs, as a rule, in the lower part of the septum. This area contains a large accumulation of small vessels that are easily injured. Often the nose bleeds due to the dry air in the room. As a result, dehydration of the mucous membrane occurs and cracks in the nasal membrane appear;
the posterior one is the most dangerous, since it appears due to a violation of the integrity of large vessels. The discharge occurs along the back wall of the throat. It is very difficult to stop the bleeding, so you should immediately call an ambulance. Occurs with increased pressure or in case of injury. Poses a major risk to the respiratory tract as it can cause aspiration and instant death.

Video - Emergency help. "School of Doctor Komarovsky"

Causes of nosebleeds

Pathology occurs due to damage to the walls of blood vessels. Doctors identify local and general causes of leakage.

trauma to the nose or head (fracture of the skull, nasal plate);
minor trauma to the mucous membranes (picking the nose, inserting small objects, scratching);
postoperative damage to the nasal septum (removal of adenoid tissue, puncture);
abnormal development of vascular tissue;
inflammatory diseases of the nasal mucosa (sinusitis, sinusitis);
inherited anomaly of deviated septum;
neoplasms (tumors, polyps);
heavy physical activity (sports).

fragility of nasal vessels;
infectious diseases;
hereditary pathology;
dry indoor air;
lack of vitamin A, C;
hyperthermia of the body (overheating), sunstroke;
increased body temperature;
cardiovascular diseases;
a jump in blood pressure in one direction or the other;
hormonal changes in the body in adolescents;
frequent use of vasoconstrictors and other medications.

In most cases, bleeding occurs due to a violation of the integrity of blood vessels near the entrance to the nose. In this place there is the Kisselbach zone, which is rich in capillaries. In addition, the mucous membrane here is more tender and fleshy than in other areas.

Children often have nosebleeds at night, which is very frightening for parents. If the unpleasant symptom is one-time in nature, then there is no need to worry.

The main factor that could cause this situation is picking the nose and traumatizing the mucous membrane. Another important reason may be the air in the room being too dry.

If blood loss is accompanied by complaints of dizziness, the child should be taken for examination.

Video - Causes of nosebleeds and how to stop it correctly

Features of treatment

Usually the bleeding stops quickly and does not require medical intervention. However, sometimes the situation is beyond control and it is impossible to stop the bleeding on your own. Doctors should be called urgently if a child has:

poor blood clotting (hemophilia);
loss of consciousness, fainting;
taking medications that thin the blood (aspirin-containing drugs, ibuprofen);
there is a risk of large blood loss;
suspicion of a skull fracture (clear fluid flows out along with blood);
vomiting with blood clots (possible damage to the esophagus, ventricle) or bleeding with foam appears.

Children with renal hypertension, severe trauma to the head and nose, and impaired coagulation are subject to emergency hospitalization.

First aid

In order to stop nosebleeds, it is necessary to carry out simple manipulations.

First of all, you should calm the baby down and explain to him that nothing bad happened and there is no need to swallow blood.
The child is seated in a horizontal position. The body must be tilted slightly forward. If you throw your head back, the flow of blood will only increase, and conditions will be created for it to enter the respiratory tract.
The nostrils are compressed with your fingers for 5–10 minutes, and cold is applied to the bridge of the nose.
After 5 min. tampons soaked in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide or vasoconstrictor drops (Naphthyzin, Galazolin) are carefully inserted into the nasal passages. The medicine is instilled in 2-3 drops and pressed against the nostrils.
Tampons should be removed very carefully, otherwise the blood clot will be damaged and bleeding will begin again.
The nasal mucosa is coated with Vaseline or Neomycin (Bacitracin) ointment - this will speed up the healing process.

After the bleeding has stopped, the child should be taken for a consultation with an ENT specialist to prevent recurrence. In addition, it is necessary to accurately identify the cause of nosebleeds. The baby's condition is assessed based on the results of rhinoscopy (a method of examining the nasal sinuses using special mirrors). If necessary, the child will have the bleeding area cauterized. You may need to consult a hematologist, neurologist, endocrinologist and other specialists.

If the bleeding does not stop for more than 15–25 minutes, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance and hospitalize the baby.

To provide first aid, the child should be seated on a chair or on the lap of an adult and the body should be slightly tilted forward, the nostrils should be tightly pinched with the fingers for 5 minutes.

What can't you do?

In case of nosebleeds, it is strictly prohibited:

Blow your nose, as this causes increased flow.
Throwing the head back or laying the child on a horizontal surface - in this case, the veins in the head are compressed, the patient’s blood pressure rises, which causes even greater blood loss. In addition, blood fluid begins to flow down the back of the throat and can enter the stomach or respiratory tract. In this case, vomiting or blockage of the airways may occur, which can lead to suffocation.
Removing a foreign body from your sinuses on your own may cause it to move and cause suffocation.

Medicines to treat nosebleeds

One of the effective treatment methods is drug therapy. The doctor prescribes medications that help reduce capillary fragility and permeability:

Ascorutin (tablets), take after meals;
Ascorbic acid;
Rutin.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe:

Dicinone - used as a prophylaxis and to quickly stop bleeding. Can be used in the form of injections or tablets;
Aminocaproic acid - intravenously or in the form of drops;
Calcium chloride and calcium gluconate - intravenously;
Vikasol - used to enhance the effect of other medications, as well as to improve blood clotting.

In case of severe bleeding that recurs periodically, the doctor may prescribe blood products:

platelet mass;
fresh frozen plasma.

If bleeding occurred due to injury, the child is discharged;

Trasylol.

Medicines for the treatment of nosebleeds - gallery

Asorutin (ascorbic acid and rutin) helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, replenishes the lack of vitamin C Dicynone is used in medicine as an “ambulance” to stop bleeding. Aminocaproic acid reduces capillary permeability and helps stop bleeding Calcium chloride is a drug that can restore calcium deficiency in the body, which is necessary for the normal blood clotting process Vikasol helps normalize blood clotting Contrical is used for bleeding caused by injuries, as well as after operations.

The dosage, frequency and duration of use of medications, as well as the form of application, are prescribed only by the attending physician after a thorough examination of the small patient and determination of the cause of the pathology.

The use of drug treatment allows the situation to improve within 7–10 days.

If conservative treatment does not bring results, the doctor may resort to other treatment methods.

Preventive measures

To prevent nosebleeds, a number of preventive measures should be taken to help strengthen blood vessels:

indoor air humidification;
taking vitamin supplements;
consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, dairy products, citrus fruits;
prevention of nose and head injuries;
avoid eating foods that can thin the blood: apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, currants;
taking medications that can strengthen the child’s immunity and moisturize the nasal mucosa (especially in children who are prone to allergies and frequent colds).

The child should avoid strenuous sports, as well as serious exercise (especially after blood loss).

Preventive measures - gallery

Taking vitamins helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve the child’s immunity. An air humidifier maintains a normal level of humidity in the room for a long time A balanced diet with a sufficient amount of micro- and macroelements has a beneficial effect on the condition of the circulatory system

Nosebleeds in childhood are often harmless. However, in case of heavy leakage, as well as in case of relapses, you should consult a doctor for a thorough examination and identify the cause of the pathology. In any case, contacting specialists will not hurt, since this unpleasant syndrome can be a harbinger of a serious illness.

Why does a child’s nose bleed and what to do to stop nosebleeds in children, says family doctor Konstantin Zelensky.

Have you started to notice that sometimes a child gets a nosebleed - do you think it’s because of the heat? But family doctor Konstantin Zelensky is sure that nosebleeds are the first symptom of dangerous diseases, and today an expert will teach you how to recognize them.

Frequent nosebleeds are a reason to consult a doctor. And if this is a one-time episode, it’s enough to just familiarize yourself with the procedure for providing first aid to your baby.

How to stop a child's nosebleeds

When faced with a nosebleed, it is important for parents to react calmly to the situation. The child himself gets scared and does not fully understand. what's happening to him. In such cases, children read the behavior of mom and dad and behave the same way.

How to stop nosebleeds in a child:

Sit the child with a straight back and put cold on the bridge of the nose.
Roll a gauze napkin into a turunda, moisten it with peroxide, and stick it into the nostril.
Press the wings of your nose with your fingers.
Call an ambulance if heavy bleeding does not stop for more than 10 minutes or occurs after hitting your head.

You CANNOT stop nosebleeds in the following ways:

DO NOT throw back the child's head or lower it too much.
DO NOT put your child to bed.
DO NOT use cotton swabs (if the cause of bleeding is in a cyst in the nose, then excessive pressure will injure the vessels and the walls may rupture)
DO NOT insert cotton wool into your nose (cotton sticks to the mucous membrane, which leads to active growth of bacteria)

Causes of nosebleeds in a healthy child

Healthy infants do not have nosebleeds. At 2-3 years old, when the child becomes active and explores himself, checking his nose with his fingers, blood may begin to bleed from this age. The parents' task is to observe how often the bleeding occurs, how heavy it is, and whether there are other symptoms of poor health.

The main causes of nosebleeds in healthy children:

thin vessels, and they are located close to the surface,
dry air indoors or hot outside,
deviated nasal septum,
vascular trauma when children put their fingers in their nose,
bleeding disorder,
increased blood pressure due to fatigue or stress.

Why does a child's nose bleed (video)

What diseases can cause nosebleeds in children?

Some serious diseases in the initial stages manifest themselves only through nosebleeds. It is important for parents to pay attention to what else the child is complaining about. And this is a reason to visit the pediatrician.

The following diseases may cause nosebleeds in children:

Tuberculosis in a child
It is widely believed that it only affects the lungs. In fact, it often affects the soft tissue of organs, including the brain, kidneys, and heart. Tuberculosis also destroys the mucous membrane. The child has the following symptoms of the disease:
Bleeding lasts no more than 5 minutes
- Nose bleeds every day
- Mucus and pus present
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Sweating at night
- Cough
It is used to prevent childhood tuberculosis.
Heart failure in a child
Heart failure can occur as a consequence of a serious illness, such as heart disease. In this case, nosebleeds are one of the symptoms. Here's what else parents should pay attention to:
Bleeding for less than 5 minutes: a capillary or small vein is damaged during exercise
- Nose bleeds at any time during the day
- Frequency of bleeding: more than 2 times a week
- Dark nosebleeds
- Feelings of fear - the child feels unwell and is anxious
- Shortness of breath appears
Diagnosing heart failure in a child at an early age is difficult. That is why, if your nose bleeds frequently, you should go for an unscheduled examination with a pediatrician.
Cysts in the nose of a child
Frequent nosebleeds can be a symptom of ENT diseases in a child. Most often these are cysts in the nose.
Benign formations that are located in the maxillary sinus interfere with breathing and lead to cardiovascular diseases. Manifest in the form of the following symptoms:
Stuffy nose
- Nose bleeds for more than 10 minutes
- Bleeding begins during the resting stage and during sleep
- Comes strong and abundantly with impurities of transparent inclusions
- Nosebleeds occur more than 3 times a week
The decision on how to treat or remove a cyst in a child’s nose is made by the doctor. Traditional methods and nasal drops do not help in this case.

In this video, Dr. Komarovsky explains in detail how to stop bleeding during a nosebleed in a child:

How to stop nosebleeds: advice from Dr. Komarovsky (video)

Frequent nosebleeds in a child is a reason to go to the pediatrician and get tested. It is likely that nothing bad is happening in the body. It is enough to take your child to the sea, where active games, salt water and the sun will strengthen blood vessels and mucous membranes.

At least once in a lifetime, “unreasonable” nosebleeds happen to everyone. It often happens that children “out of the blue” start bleeding from their nose. Nevertheless, there are very specific reasons for this phenomenon. And if you notice your baby has a “tendency” to nosebleeds, you should immediately organize a trip to the pediatrician. Why and why - we'll tell you!

From time to time, not only adults, but also children experience nosebleeds for no apparent reason - the baby did not fight or hit himself, and yet the child is bleeding from the nose... At first glance, nothing serious. But it is important for parents to know that in some cases the cause of this phenomenon may be the development of a serious and dangerous disease.

Nosebleeds vary

Nosebleeds in a child can be of two types:

bleeding from the anterior parts of the nasopharynx (in this case, damage occurs to the vessel located directly on the nasal septum);
bleeding from the back of the nose (often occurs due to injury, high blood pressure, or the development of certain serious diseases).

In the winter season, nosebleeds in children occur many times more often than in the warm season.

As a rule, children more often experience nosebleeds from the anterior parts of the nose. A distinctive feature of this type is that blood comes from only one nostril. And with this option, the bleeding in most cases quickly stops.

When the damage to the vessel is located in the back of the nose, blood usually comes from both nostrils, the bleeding is very intense and difficult to stop.

But whatever the bleeding, in any case it is necessary to try to stop it as soon as possible. Fortunately, manipulations for this do not require any special efforts or tricks on the part of the parents.

How to stop a nosebleed: first aid for a child

1 Sit the child down - the back is straight, the body is slightly tilted forward, the head is slightly lowered.
2 Gently squeeze the wings of the baby’s nose with your fingers (in other words, squeeze the nose);
3 Hold this position for at least 10 minutes (and apply all your parental will to ensure that you do not look into the child’s nose every 30 seconds, checking whether it is still flowing or has already stopped). It is very important to hold your nose and hold this position for at least 10 minutes.
4 While you keep your nose pinched for 10 minutes, it is helpful to apply ice cubes or something cold to the bridge of your nose. In addition, it is useful to give your child something cold (ice cream, a glass of ice water through a straw, etc.) to eat or drink. Cold in the mouth effectively stops nosebleeds.

Unfortunately, practice shows that most mothers and fathers, when faced with a problem such as a sudden nosebleed in their child, get lost and make a number of mistakes.

Mistakes that adults make when providing emergency care to children with nosebleeds:

1 You should not tilt the child’s head back - because in this case, blood will not flow out of the nose, but will flow along the back wall of the nasopharynx. In such a situation, you will not be able to determine whether the bleeding has stopped or not, how intense it is, and besides, you cannot be sure that the baby will not choke (if there is a lot of blood);
2 You should not stuff cotton wool, tampons or other “plugs” into your child’s nose. Instead of flowing out freely, the blood will soak into the cotton wool and thicken, gradually drying to the nasal mucosa. Once you pull out the bloody tampons, the bleeding may start again.
3 You should not place the child in a lying position - if the bleeding is severe, it will end in bloody vomiting, which, when lying down, almost always leads to choking. It is best to sit the child upright, slightly tilting his body forward.
4 If there is a nosebleed, do not provoke the child to talk or move - both will increase the bleeding.

When should you call a doctor if you have a nosebleed?

Despite the fact that nosebleeds are usually not a very serious incident and can be easily corrected, there are situations when taking your child to the doctor is vital. Such situations include the following circumstances:

If after ten minutes the bleeding has not stopped, repeat the entire procedure from the beginning (for another 10 minutes). If in this case (a total of 20 minutes after the start of first aid) the nose is still bleeding, this is a 100% reason to urgently call doctors.
If the child's nosebleeds are intense and occur simultaneously from both nostrils.
If the nosebleed is accompanied by some other bleeding (bleeding from the ear, or from the genitals, etc.).
You should definitely show your child to a doctor if nosebleeds become regular (every day, once every 2-3 days, once a week, etc.).

The need for medical consultation in such circumstances is completely justified, because in rare cases, nosebleeds may not just be the result of a burst vessel in the nose, but a symptom of a dangerous disease.

Causes of sudden nosebleeds

Finally, the time has come to find out why such a phenomenon as nosebleeds occurs in adults and children. In 90% of cases, nosebleeds occur because blood vessels in the anterior parts of the nose burst. This is facilitated by:

Drying of areas of the nasal mucosa;
Dust, tobacco smoke, animal hair - all this causes increased formation of mucus in the nose and fragility of blood vessels on the nasal septum;
Very dry and hot air in the room where the child lives;
Excessive physical stress;
Severe stress.

But the reasons can also be many times more serious and dangerous. For example:

Internal organ injury;
Bleeding disorders;
Circulatory disorders;
Liver diseases;
High blood pressure;
Diseases of the cardiovascular system;

If you contact a pediatrician on one of the grounds that were mentioned above as reasons to seek professional medical help for nosebleeds in a child, the doctor will definitely prescribe tests and studies that will help exclude (or sometimes, alas, confirm) the presence of one of these diseases.