Five-year-old Johnny has been experiencing regular nosebleeds during the past month that sometimes take his parents as long as 10 minutes to stop. What can they do to help?
Nosebleeds are common during the winter months due to less humidity in the atmosphere, which causes the lining of the nose to dry out and bleed. When this situation occurs, the best thing any parent can do is to stop the bleeding and try not to panic.
“When your child’s nose begins to bleed, hold pressure by pinching his or her nose almost at the nasal opening,” says Anita Jeyakumar, MD, MS, pediatric otolaryngologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “In addition, have your child lean forward, not backward. Otherwise, blood can flow up the nasal passage and possibly clog the back of the child’s throat.”
Be Prepared
Since dry weather makes children more susceptible to nosebleeds, parents can be prepared by taking small steps around the home. For example, consider using a humidifier in the child’s bedroom, and keep saline nasal spray on hand to help hydrate the nasal lining.
“Nosebleeds are usually preventable,” Dr. Jeyakumar says. “However, seek medical attention if bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure or if bleeding recurs three or more times in a 24-hour period.”
To schedule an appointment with an otolaryngologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, call 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS.