What are the common causes of nosebleed?

Commonly, the most common cause of nosebleeds are exposure of dry air (such as the frequent use of air conditioning), manipulation and frequent picking of the nose. Other causes are injury to the nose, common colds and allergies or objects in the nasal cavity.

Very rarely, bleeding can be caused by tumors and bleeding disorders.

What should I do when my child has a nosebleed?

Most nosebleeds can be stopped at home. It is important to be calm at all times and to comfort your child.

Step 1:
Ask your child to sit up and lean forward
By performing this, you ensure that your child does not swallow any blood. Have a small basin so that your child can spit any blood that drips down the throat.

Step 2:
Gently squeeze the soft part of the nose
By pinching the lower soft part of the nose, you are applying pressure to the bleeding area. This helps the bleeding stop. Pinch for about 5-10 minutes and ask your child to breathe through his or her mouth.
You can also apply a cold compress to the nasal bridge or forehead, this helps with vasoconstriction of the blood vessels.

Step 3:
Once bleeding stops, do not pick or rub the nose for 2-3 days.

Most of the time, bleeding should abate. If bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of continuous pressure, please call your healthcare provider or emergency services.

How can I prevent nosebleeds?

If your child has frequent nosebleeds, it may be good to consider:

• Using petroleum jelly to moisturize the nose and protect the mucus membranes
• Treating his or her allergies
• Using regular saline nasal sprays 
• Minimizing the use of air conditioning and using humidifiers in rooms with air conditioning. 
• Seeking the opinion of a pediatric ENT specialist.

When should I consult an ENT doctor.

You should consult a specialist if there are concerns of frequent nosebleed episodes, especially if the