PAEDIATRIC ENT CARE

Nosebleeds in Kids

What are Nosebleeds in Children?

Nosebleeds in kids can be alarming. However, it's a common occurrence and usually nothing to worry about. The culprit is often a tiny blood vessel in the nose that gets injured and bleeds until a clot forms to stop it. However, seeking medical attention is best if your child has frequent nosebleeds or heavy blood flow.

Why Does My Child Get Nosebleeds?

Several reasons can cause nosebleeds in children:

• Respiratory Infections and Allergies: inflamed nasal linings are more prone to bleeding during viral infections or in the presence of allergic rhinitis, especially if there is frequent nose blowing and manipulation of the nasal tissues.

• Dry Air: Being in an airconditioned environment can dry out the lining of the nose, causing the skin to tear and bleed.

• Nose Picking: kids are notorious nose pickers, which can damage the skin lining and blood vessels.

• Physical Trauma: accidental bumps or knocks can cause the skin inside the nose to break and bleed.

• Foreign Objects: anything stuck in a nose can inflame or damage the skin lining, leading to nosebleeds.

• Tumours: although very rare, certain tumours in children can cause nosebleeds.

Treatment of Nosebleeds in Children

If your child's nosebleeds persist or occur frequently, it might be time to see an ENT surgeon to examine the nasal passage using a video nasoendoscopy (a flexible tube with a video camera at the end).

Treatment of the underlying cause, such as allergic rhinitis, usually helps to reduce the severity and frequency of the nose bleeds. Moisturising the nose lining with emollients is often helpful as well.

If the bleeding site can be identified on nasoendoscopy, the ENT surgeon can use various methods to stop the bleeding. This includes cautery of the blood vessels, where controlled heat is applied to "burn" and close off the blood vessels. This can be done under local or general anaesthesia.