Repeated Nosebleeds: How to Care for Your Child

Some kids get nosebleeds again and again. The cartilage in the center of the nose (the septum) has tiny blood vessels inside its lining that can bleed. Usually, this isn't serious. Most nosebleeds can be treated at home.

• Remind your child not to blow, rub, or pick their nose for at least 12 hours after a nosebleed.

• To prevent nosebleeds: 

  • Keep the inside of your child's nose moist with saline (saltwater) nasal spray or gel, or dab petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment gently around the opening of the nostrils.

  • Try not to overheat your home.

  • Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room and clean it every day to prevent mold from growing.

  • Keep your child's nails short to prevent scratches inside the nose. 

  • Your child should use protective equipment during sports to avoid injuries that can cause a nosebleed.

• If another nosebleed happens, follow these instructions:

1. Stay calm and comfort your child.

2. Have your child sit up and tilt their head slightly forward to keep blood from running down the back of the throat. It might help for your child to lean over a sink or pail to catch the blood.

3. Have your child pinch the bottom of the nostrils (soft part of the nose) together using the index finger and the thumb. Hold it without stopping for 10 minutes.

4. After 10 minutes, check for bleeding. If the nose is still bleeding, pinch the nose closed for another 10 minutes.

Your child has:

• blood going down the back of the throat, even with their head tilted forward. This may mean that the bleeding is from a more serious, less common condition called a posterior (back of the nose) nosebleed that requires a specialist's care

• nosebleeds along with bruising of the skin or a red or purplish rash

• a nosebleed that happens after starting a new medicine

Your child:

• still has nose bleeding after pinching the nose for a total of 20 minutes

• has heavy bleeding from the nose or has lost a large amount of blood (more than a cupful)

• feels weak or faint after having a nosebleed

• has a new nosebleed from an injury or blow to the head or face

Why do nosebleeds happen? Common causes of nosebleeds include:

• dry nose membranes (lining of the nose)

• picking, rubbing, or scratching the nose

• injury

• allergies or colds

Nosebleeds sometimes can return if the clot or scab inside the nose comes off. 

How does a nosebleed stop? A nosebleed stops when blood forms a clot (clump of cells and protein) that plugs the torn blood vessel. Then, a scab forms on top. Nosebleeds can start again if the scab comes off.

If a child continues to have nosebleeds, the health care provider may suggest a procedure on the blood vessels in the nose called cautery. This can seal the blood vessels so they don't bleed anymore.

Are repeated nosebleeds a serious problem? Getting nosebleeds often usually isn't a sign of a serious problem. Rarely, though, they can be a symptom of a bleeding problem. The health care provider will talk to you about whether blood tests might help find a problem.