Nosebleeds in children are usually harmless. So you don't need to panic or worry. To stop the bleeding, there are some easy steps you can take as first aid to deal with nosebleeds in children.
Nosebleeds are a common condition experienced by anyone, including children. They do experience nosebleeds more often than adults. This is because the blood vessels in children's noses are more fragile and break easily.
Causes of Nosebleeds in Children
Nosebleeds in children can occur at any time, for example while playing, studying at school, or even when the child is sleeping. This condition can occur due to the influence of very dry air or when in a hot environment.
Exhaling too hard, such as when blowing your nose, or picking your nose too deeply can also cause nosebleeds in your child.
In addition, there are several conditions that can also cause nosebleeds in children, including:
- Impact or injury to the nose
- The presence of a foreign object that enters the nose
- Deformities and blood vessels in the nose
- Infection
- Allergy
- Blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia
- Side effects of certain drugs
Of all these causes, the common cold and allergies are considered the most common causes of nosebleeds in children.
Handling Nosebleeds in Children
The following are the initial treatment steps to stop bleeding if a child has a nosebleed:
- Calm the child so that it is easier for you to help. Also show that you can be calm in the face of this.
- Sit the child with the head slightly lowered position. Ask him not to lean back to avoid the possibility of blood flowing from the inside of the nasal passages into the throat, esophagus, or out through the mouth. If this happens, the child is at risk of choking, coughing, or vomiting.
- Cover your nose with a tissue or clean cloth. However, avoid inserting a tissue or washcloth into your nostrils.
- Gently squeeze the soft part of the child's nose for about 10 minutes. You can also put a cold compress on the bridge of your child's nose to stop the bleeding.
- After 10 minutes, release the button and see if the bleeding has stopped or not.
- If the bleeding has not stopped, repeat the steps.
You also have to be responsive in assessing the condition of the child. Take your child to the hospital immediately if he has any of the following conditions:
- He did first aid by pressing his nose for 10 minutes twice, but the blood hasn't stopped flowing.
- The child looks weak and pale, has difficulty breathing, and has a fast heart rate or pulse.
- The blood that came out was thought to be too much.
- The child has a severe cough or vomiting, because the blood from the nose already flows into the throat and mouth or may be swallowed.
- Other body parts also bleed, such as the gums.
- Nosebleeds often occur, which is more than twice a week.
Nosebleed Prevention Steps in Children
Some of the causes of nosebleeds in children can be anticipated, namely by preventing the child from inserting a foreign object into the nose, teaching the child not to exhale too hard when exhaling mucus or mucus, and watching him when he plays to prevent his nose bumping.
In addition, make sure your child's nails are always clean and not too long so he doesn't hurt himself while cleaning the nose. Also teach children not to get used to picking their noses. You can also teach him about the importance of keeping yourself safe.
If nosebleeds in children occur frequently and are difficult to stop, try to check with a doctor to find out the cause. Once the cause of the nosebleed is known, the doctor can provide appropriate treatment.