Kids have an amazing resiliency. They can be a bit clumsy which leads to frequent injuries, but they can usually heal themselves up pretty quickly.
These two tendencies make for some confusing situations for parents. It’s difficult to tell when your child is experiencing yet another result of this clumsy behavior, or a legitimate health issue.
The ability to tell the difference between casual bumps and injuries can save parents from multiple, unnecessary trips to the doctor.
Nosebleeds are a fairly common occurrence for children. And while most of us might push some tissue against our nostrils and wait it out, frequent nosebleeds can actually be a justified reason to visit a pediatric ENT in Nashville, TN.
So how do you know when your child’s nosebleed is severe enough to warrant a visit to a specialist? And what are the potential issues that could cause this?
What Is Going on During a Nosebleed?
The inside of your nose is full of little blood vessels. These blood vessels are quite delicate as there isn’t a lot of tissue in the area to protect them from damage. Occasionally, these blood vessels can be ruptured, which causes them to bleed. This is what’s known as an anterior nosebleed.
An outside trauma such as a blow to the head can occasionally rupture blood vessels that are deeper in the nose. These are what’s known as posterior nosebleeds. The resulting bleeding can either flow out through the nostrils, or even down the throat.
Posterior nosebleeds tend to be heavier than anterior nosebleeds, and can be more difficult to stop.
Visit pediatric ENT specialists of Nashville, Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) today!
Common Reasons for Nosebleeds
The majority of nosebleeds aren’t going to be serious. In fact, most people are likely to experience a nosebleed from time to time. The blood vessels in the nose are very close to the surface, which makes them easy to rupture.
Anterior nosebleeds — the type occurring in the front area of the nose — can be caused by something as simple as dry air. This can be made even more likely by excessive picking or other forms of damage.
Some common medications can further dry out the nose and make it more susceptible to experiencing a nosebleed. These include decongestants and antihistamines, commonly used to treat colds, allergies, or other sinus problems.
Posterior nosebleeds, as we mentioned earlier, can be caused by a strong blow to the head. Other causes include inhaling chemicals such as gasoline or even secondhand tobacco smoke.
Children between the ages of 2 and 10 — along with adults over the age of 50 — are particularly susceptible to experiencing nosebleeds.
And while short nosebleeds aren’t usually cause for alarm, about 10% of nosebleeds can be a sign of something more serious.
When to See a Doctor for a Nosebleed
As we said earlier, nosebleeds are fairly common and don’t usually require medical assistance. However, this is not always the case. Here are some scenarios that might require a visit to a pediatric ENT in Nashville, TN:
Bleeding can occasionally be difficult to stop. Frequent occurrences where the nosebleed can’t be stopped without a trip to the hospital can be a sign of something worse.
Frequently experiencing a nosebleed — perhaps 3-4 times every month — can necessitate a doctor’s visit.
Urgent help with a nosebleed should be sought out if:
The bleeding doesn’t stop after 20 minutes of applying pressure
The nosebleed comes after a strong blow to the head
The child has a known bleeding disorder
The nose itself appears to be misshapen
The child is vomiting or coughing up blood
The nosebleed is accompanied by a strong headache or fever
Ways to Treat a Nosebleed
A child’s nosebleed can usually be treated at home. The above warning signs will need to be kept in mind, but you should follow these steps if you notice a nosebleed.
First, tell the child to sit and try to calm them down. Have them hold a solid posture with a straight back but leaning slightly forward. Avoid having the child lay down because this will cause the blood to flow into the throat, which can lead to coughing or even vomiting up blood.
Pinch the end of the child’s nose with a tissue, and hold this position for at least ten minutes. It’s likely that the nosebleed will stop before ten minutes, but the extra time will give the ruptured blood vessel an opportunity to better seal itself.
Don’t spray anything into the nose. And don’t stick any gauze or tissue in there either.
Visit a pediatric ENT in Nashville, TN if you have any concerns relating to frequent nosebleeds experienced by a child.
