No parent wants to see blood coming from any part of her child’s body, but there’s something especially upsetting about seeing your toddler’s nose bleed. All that blood smack in the middle of your little one’s face is pretty nerve-racking. But nosebleeds in children are more common than you think — and, in fact, your tot is entering the prime years for nosebleeds, ages 2 to 20. So chances are you’ll have a couple of opportunities to put these toddler nosebleed tips to the test.
Why toddler nosebleeds happen:
A combination of factors can put little toddler noses at higher risk. These include:
- The anatomy of the nose. The nose is rich with tiny blood vessels that gush pretty easily, especially when they’re dry or irritated. A bump on the nose (or even the head) can also cause surprising amounts of blood to pour forth.
- The nature of a toddler. Because little kids are unsteady on their feet, highly curious, and prone to overestimate their abilities, they tend to fall into things or smack themselves with toys or books. Some little ones also develop a mindless nose-picking habit, which irritates the lining of the nose — and others stick things in their noses, which can also cause bleeding.
- Dry or cold weather. Nose bleeds in children tend to happen more often during winter months. That’s because indoor heating can dry out nasal membranes, making them more susceptible to irritation.
- Frequent colds. Little kids catch more colds (up to 10 a year), and all that wiping and blowing can irritate the skin inside their noses.
- Other factors. Antihistamines, for example, can dry nasal passages, as can chronic allergies.
How to treat nosebleeds in children:
Staying calm is step one since your toddler will take his cues from you. From there:
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- Have your child sit up. A good rule of thumb: Keep his head higher than his heart.
- Place your hand on his back and gently encourage him to lean forward slightly. This keeps blood from flowing down the throat.
- Gently wipe away the visible blood, and try to get your child to blow (not too hard) into a tissue.
- Pinch the soft parts of the nose (not the bony part) with your thumb and forefinger, so the nostrils are closed. You can also use a tissue.
- Don’t place anything inside the nose, like cotton balls, tissue, or gauze.
- Hold this position for a full five minutes before checking to see if the bleeding has stopped (no peeking). If it hasn’t, wait another five or 10 minutes and check again.
When to call the doctor for a nosebleed:
Call if a toddler nosebleed hasn’t stopped even after you’ve pinched your toddler’s nose several times. You should also let the doctor know if your toddler has nosebleeds several times a week. You may be referred to a pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. One treatment for persistent nosebleeds is cautery, a procedure in which blood vessels are closed off with an electric current, a silver nitrate or a laser. Another in-office treatment is for the doctor to temporarily pack the nose with gauze or an inflatable balloon that places pressure on a problematic blood vessel.
How to prevent nosebleeds in toddlers:
- You can prevent the type of nosebleed caused by cracked, dry skin by placing a very light coating of petroleum jelly along the skin right under the nose and just inside, especially at night. Use a cotton swab to apply.
- Keep toddlers’ fingernails trimmed — and discourage nose picking when you see it.
- Use saline spray when your child has a cold or is stuffed up to keep the nasal passages moist.
- Run a cool-mist humidifier in your tot’s bedroom during the winter to keep the air moist.
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