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Nosebleed

Is this your child's symptom?

Bleeding from 1 or both nostrils
Not caused by an injury

Nose Injury
Nose Injury

Causes of Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common because of the rich blood supply of the nose. Common causes include:

Spontaneous Nosebleed. Most nosebleeds start up without a known cause.
Rubbing. Rubbing or picking the nose is the most common known cause. It's hard to not touch or rub the nose.
Blowing. Blowing the nose too hard can cause a nosebleed.
Suctioning. Suctioning the nose can sometimes cause bleeding. This can happen if the suction tip is put in too far.
Sinus Infections. The main symptoms are lots of dry snot and a blocked nose. This leads to extra nose blowing and picking. The sinus infection is more often viral than bacterial.
Nose Allergies. The main symptom is a very itchy nose. This leads to extra rubbing and blowing.
Dry Air. Dryness of the nasal lining makes it more likely to bleed. In the winter, forced air heating often can dry out the nose.
Allergy Medicines. These help the nasal symptoms, but also dry out the nose.
Ibuprofen and Aspirin. These medicines increase the bleeding tendency. Aspirin is not used in children.
Bleeding Disorder (Serious). This means the blood platelets or clotting factors are missing or not working right. A bleeding disorder should be suspected if the nosebleed can't be stopped. Excessive bleeding from the gums or with minor cuts is also a clue. Bleeding disorders are a rare cause of frequent nosebleeds.

When to Call for Nosebleed

When to Call for Nosebleed
Call 911 Now Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand You think your child has a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Nosebleed that won't stop after 10 minutes of squeezing the nose correctly Large amount of blood has been lost New skin bruises or bleeding gums not caused by an injury also present High-risk child (such as with low platelets or other bleeding disorder) You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Age less than 1 year old New onset nosebleeds happen 3 or more times in a week Hard-to-stop nosebleeds are a frequent problem Easy bleeding is present in other family members You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Mild nosebleed

Call 911 Now

Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Nosebleed that won't stop after 10 minutes of squeezing the nose correctly
Large amount of blood has been lost
New skin bruises or bleeding gums not caused by an injury also present
High-risk child (such as with low platelets or other bleeding disorder)
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Age less than 1 year old
New onset nosebleeds happen 3 or more times in a week
Hard-to-stop nosebleeds are a frequent problem
Easy bleeding is present in other family members
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Mild nosebleed

Care Advice for Nosebleed

What You Should Know About Nosebleeds:
- Nosebleeds are common.
- You should be able to stop the bleeding if you use the correct technique.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Squeeze the Lower Nose:
- Gently squeeze the soft parts of the lower nose together. Gently press them against the center wall for 10 minutes. This puts constant pressure on the bleeding point.
- Use the thumb and index finger in a pinching manner.
- If the bleeding continues, move your point of pressure.
- Have your child sit up and breathe through the mouth during this procedure.
- If rebleeds, use the same technique again.
Put Gauze into the Nose:
- If pressure alone fails, use a piece of gauze. Wet it with a few drops of water. Another option is to put a little petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) on it.
- Insert the wet gauze into the side that is bleeding. Press again for 10 minutes. Reason it works: the gauze puts more pressure on the bleeding spot.
- Special nose drops: if your child has lots of nose bleeds, buy some decongestant nose drops. An example is Afrin. No prescription is needed. Put 3 drops on the gauze and press. Do this once. The nose drops also shrink the blood vessels in the nose.
- Caution: don't use decongestant nose drops if your child is under 1 year of age.
- If you don't have gauze, use a piece of paper towel.
- Repeat the process of gently squeezing the lower soft parts of the nose. Do this for 10 minutes.
Prevent Recurrent Nosebleeds:
- If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier to keep the nose from drying out.
- For nose blowing, blow gently.
- For nose suctioning, don't put the suction tip very far inside. Also, move it gently.
- Do not use aspirin and ibuprofen. Reason: Increases bleeding tendency.
- Bleeding areas in the front of the nose sometimes develop a scab. It may heal slowly and re-bleed. If that happens to your child, try this tip. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the spot. Repeat twice a day. Do not use for more than 1 week.
What to Expect:
- Over 99% of nosebleeds will stop if you press on the right spot.
- It may take 10 minutes of direct pressure.
- After swallowing blood from a nosebleed, your child may vomit a little blood.
- Your child may also pass a dark stool tomorrow from swallowed blood.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Can't stop bleeding with 10 minutes of direct pressure done correctly
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Reviewed: 10/11/2023 Updated: 12/30/2022