Nosebleeds 2

What is a Nosebleed?

A nosebleed – more formally called epistaxis – can occur without any obvious cause. The blood usually comes out through just one nostril, although it may affect both.

Causes and Risk Factors

Many nosebleeds are idiopathic – that is there is no obvious cause, or the cause is unknown. But in children frequent colds and the drying effect of central heating can cause irritation of the delicate mucous membrane that lines the nose. This becomes inflamed, crusted or cracked, and is much more likely to bleed.

Bumps to the nose, especially once it’s inflamed, and vigorous nose blowing can trigger a bleed. The common childhood pass time of picking your nose can cause it to bleed. Some children just have a tendency to nosebleeds, for no obvious reason.

Rare causes include cancers and illnesses that prevent the blood from clotting properly.

Nosebleeds are described as either anterior or posterior depending on which part of the nose the bleeding comes from. Children almost always have anterior nosebleeds, from a vein (unlike older adults where it’s more likely to be posterior and come from an artery).

Nosebleeds – Treatment and Recovery

Most nosebleeds in children can be easily treated. Keep the child as calm as possible. Tell them to tip their head forward and breathe through their mouth while you pinch the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and index finger, just below the bony part of the nose.

Then press the pinched nose firmly towards the face. Keep this position for five full minutes (ideally ten) making sure the child’s head is held up well above the level of the heart.

If bleeding persists, apply a cold pack against the face whilst still pinching the nose and get medical advice. If nosebleeds are frequent, treatment such as cautery to seal the blood vessels may be needed.

Article taken in part from http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/

Written by Dr Trisha Macnair

Disclaimer

All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.

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