The doctor may then: Apply a cream or ointment that contains a special medicine to slow the blood flow to the inside of your child's nose. Use cautery, which is a special chemical that freezes or burns the blood vessel to stop the bleeding a process referred to as cauterisation. Pack your child's nose with a dressing.
The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent a bacterial infection while the packing is in the nose. Occasionally, children who need nasal packing may be admitted to hospital overnight. Take your child to the GP if they: have nosebleeds frequently over a period of several weeks have nosebleeds and bruised skin anywhere on the body, pale skin or a family history of bleeding disorders.
Your child may be referred to an ENT ear, nose and throat specialist. Care at home After a nosebleed: Rest your child for the next couple of hours if the nosebleed was not severe you were able to stop it yourself using first aid. Rest for 12—24 hours if it was a severe nosebleed that needed medical assistance.
Quiet activities such as drawing or reading a book are recommended. Avoid giving your child hot drinks or food, or hot baths or showers for at least 24 hours. Tell your child not pick or blow their nose for 24 hours and for a week if they have had their nose cauterised.
If your child's nose has been packed, the gauze will need to remain in place for 24—48 hours. You will need to take your child to the GP for a check-up and to have the gauze removed. Do not try to remove the packing yourself. If it falls out on its own and the bleeding doesn't return, there is no need to go back to the emergency department or GP.
To help prevent nosebleeds in the future: If your child's nose is dry and cracked, apply a petroleum-based gel or ointment e. Vaseline to the nostrils, generally twice each day for a week.
This can be done by using a cotton tip or finger, and gently rubbing it on the inside of the nose. Do not use this method in children under four years of age as they are unlikely to cooperate or sit still, and their nose may be injured. If your child is suffering from constipation, increase their fluid intake and the amount of fibre in their diet, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for a stool softener to prevent them from straining. See our fact sheet Constipation.
Key points to remember Nosebleeds are very common in children and often caused by harmless activities. Most nosebleeds cause only minor discomfort to your child. First aid is used to treat nosebleeds. The GP might want to test you for haemophilia or for other conditions like anaemia. The inside of the nose is delicate and nosebleeds happen when it's damaged. This can be caused by:.
Nosebleeds that need medical attention can come from deeper inside the nose and usually affect adults. They can be caused by:. Spit out any blood that collects in the mouth. Swallowing a large amount of blood may cause your child to have a stomachache or vomit throw up.
How to Help Prevent Nosebleeds Fingernails should be cut short to prevent scratching the inside of the nose. Keep fingers and objects out of the nose. Avoid rubbing the nose. Teach your child to blow their nose gently. Be sure to clean the machine once a week. Smear a very thin coat of nasal ointment inside each nostril 2 to 3 times a day, especially at bedtime, for 2 weeks during the dry season. This will keep the lining of the nose moist.
For colds or a stuffy nose, use a saline nose spray — 2 sprays to each nostril, 2 or more times a day. More About Nosebleeds If your child takes aspirin, an anticoagulant anti-clotting medicine or uses nasal sprays for allergies, be sure to tell the health care provider how often the nosebleeds happen. Your child: has a nosebleed after an accident or being hit in the face. Condition Nosebleeds Epistaxis.
0コメント