Nosebleeds are common in children and usually are not dangerous, but frequent or difficult to stop nosebleeds can be frustrating for both parents and children.

Most childhood nosebleeds come from small blood vessels near the front of the nose that can become irritated by dryness, allergies, rubbing, nose picking, or frequent blowing.

Why Does My Child Keep Getting Nosebleeds?

Some of the most common causes include:

• Dry air
• Nose picking or rubbing
• Allergies
• Colds and nasal irritation
• Frequent or forceful nose blowing
• Minor injuries to the nose
• Irritation from nasal sprays
• A foreign object inside the nose

Sometimes several of these factors happen together. For example, allergies can make the nose itchy and congested, which can lead to more rubbing, blowing, and irritation.

Are Nosebleeds Normal in Children?

Occasional nosebleeds are very common during childhood.

The inside of the nose contains many small blood vessels close to the surface. When the lining becomes dry or irritated, these vessels can break and bleed easily.

Frequent nosebleeds are worth discussing with a doctor, especially when they keep happening despite basic prevention measures.

How Do I Stop My Child's Nosebleed?

If your child develops a nosebleed:

1. Have them sit upright.
2. Lean the head slightly forward.
3. Pinch the soft part of the nose firmly.
4. Keep steady pressure without repeatedly checking to see if the bleeding has stopped.
5. Have your child breathe through their mouth while pressure is applied.

Do not tilt the head backward, because this can cause blood to run down the throat.

How Can I Help Prevent Nosebleeds?

Reducing dryness and irritation inside the nose can help some children have fewer nosebleeds.

Helpful measures may include:

• Using saline nasal spray to keep the nose moist
• Running a humidifier when the air is dry
• Discouraging nose picking
• Encouraging gentle nose blowing
• Managing allergies or chronic nasal irritation when present

Can Allergies Cause Nosebleeds?

Allergies can contribute to nosebleeds by causing itching, congestion, and inflammation inside the nose.

Children may rub or blow their nose more often, which can further irritate delicate blood vessels.

If your child has nosebleeds along with sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, or a frequent runny nose, allergies may be contributing.

Learn more about chronic nasal congestion in children.

When Are Frequent Nosebleeds a Concern?

Most nosebleeds are minor, but your child should be evaluated if:

• Nosebleeds happen frequently
• Bleeding is difficult to stop
• There is a large amount of bleeding
• The bleeding began after a significant injury
• Your child has trouble breathing
• Nosebleeds happen along with unusual bruising or bleeding elsewhere
• There is persistent bleeding from only one side along with other nasal symptoms

When Should My Child See an ENT?

An ENT may be helpful when nosebleeds continue despite efforts to keep the nose moist and reduce irritation.

The ENT can examine the inside of the nose and look for irritated blood vessels, dryness, inflammation, structural problems, or another source of bleeding.

What Happens During a Nosebleed Evaluation?

The evaluation may include:

• A review of how often the nosebleeds happen
• Which side of the nose usually bleeds
• How long the bleeding lasts
• Whether allergies or congestion are present
• Whether your child bruises or bleeds easily elsewhere
• An examination inside the nose

Additional testing is not needed for every child, but it may be considered when the history suggests another underlying issue.

Can an ENT Cauterize a Child's Nose?

Yes. If a specific irritated blood vessel is repeatedly causing nosebleeds, cautery may be considered.

Cautery seals the problem area so it is less likely to continue bleeding. Whether it is appropriate depends on the location of the bleeding, the child's age, and what is found during the examination.

Frequent Nosebleed Care for Children in McAllen, TX

If your child keeps having nosebleeds or the bleeding is becoming harder to control, Glatz Group can evaluate the nose and determine whether dryness, allergies, irritation, or another ENT problem may be contributing.

Learn more about our ENT care for children in McAllen and our nose care services.

Does your child keep getting nosebleeds?

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