Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Stop the bleeding
• Part 2 of 4: Making your child comfortable
• Part 3 of 4: Understanding the causes of nosebleeds
• Part 4 of 4: Prevent a nosebleed from now on
• Tips
• Warnings

A toddler can suffer from a nosebleed quite often, but despite that, it can still be scary for the child, as well as for the child's parents. Find out what causes a nosebleed, how to fix a nosebleed, how to put your child at ease, and how to prevent nosebleeds.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Stop the bleeding

1. Assess the situation. If your toddler has gotten a nosebleed because of a fall or some other injury, check to see if he has any serious injuries. You should especially do this if your child has fallen on his face or been hit in the face.
   • If your child has fallen on his face or been hit in the face and has swelling in addition to a nosebleed, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your toddler's nose may be broken.
2. Go to the place where you can best get rid of the nosebleed. If possible, take your child to a bathroom or toilet (or another area without carpet, as blood can stain it). If you are in a public place, take your child to a place where other people cannot see him or her. Children can get upset because of people staring at them, and some people may feel sick or pass out because they see blood.
3. Make sure your child adopts the correct posture. Your toddler's head should be higher than his or her heart to avoid extra pressure on the nose. The pressure can cause more blood to come out of the nose. It is best to place your child on a chair or on your lap.
   • Letting your child sit back or lie down can cause blood to run into his or her throat. This can make your child nauseous and vomit. It is much better to let your child sit upright.
4. Have your child spit out the blood in his or her mouth. Use a tub, napkin or the sink and help your toddler gently spit out the blood. Most children do not like blood and your child may vomit if he or she swallows a lot of blood.
5. Help your child lean forward. Whether your toddler is on a chair or on your lap, he or she should lean forward slightly to reduce the chance of swallowing blood.
   • If your toddler is sitting in a chair, put one hand on his back and gently push him forward.
   • If your toddler is on your lap, gently lean forward so that he is also pushed forward.
6. Wipe off any visible blood. Use a tissue, towel, or other soft cloth to wipe off any visible blood.
7. Encourage your toddler to blow his or her nose gently. If your toddler can blow his or her nose, it will help clear the excess blood.
8. Pinch your toddler's nose for ten minutes. Use your fingers to pinch the soft part of your child's nose. Be careful, because if you pinch their nose too hard, your child is likely to struggle. If your child is injured, you will likely make the situation worse this way.
   • Resist the temptation to let go of your toddler's nose before ten minutes have passed. This can cause the blood clot that forms to break and the nose to bleed again.
   • Make sure you don't cover your child's mouth when you pinch his or her nose. Your child must be able to breathe freely.
   • Distract your toddler. Depending on how old your toddler is, you can distract him while pinching his nose. You can let him watch his favorite television show or read him his favorite book.
9. Check every now and then to see if your child's nose is still bleeding. After pinching your toddler's nose for ten minutes, check to see if he is still bleeding. If so, squeeze the nose for another ten minutes.
10. Try a cold compress. If your child's nose continues to bleed, put a cold compress on the bridge of your child's nose. That way, the blood vessels constrict, which can help reduce bleeding.
11. Let your toddler rest. When the bleeding has stopped, try to let your child rest. Do not let your toddler touch or blow his or her nose.
12. Decide if you should see a doctor. If your child is injured, seek immediate medical attention. Also call the doctor if there is one of the following situations:
    • You have performed all of the above steps but the bleeding has not stopped.
    • Your child has a nosebleed several times a week.
    • Your child is dizzy, weak or pale.
    • Your child has recently started taking a new medicine.
    • Your child has or is suspected of having a bleeding disorder.
    • Your child has a severe headache.
    • Your child is bleeding in a different place - for example in his or her ears, mouth or gums - or has blood in his or her stool.
    • Your child has unexplained bruises on his or her body.
13. Clean up. When you have cleared your child's nosebleed, wipe away any blood that has dripped onto your furniture, floor, or counter. Wipe the area with a disinfectant.

Part 2 of 4: Making your child comfortable

1. Stay calm. In most cases, a nosebleed is nothing to worry about. If you panic unnecessarily, you will scare your child and make the situation worse. Stay as calm as possible.
   • This also applies if you are sure that your toddler has had a nosebleed because he or she has tinkered too much in the nose. This is not the time to get angry with or humiliate your toddler, or get upset or angry. Stay calm and get rid of the nosebleed before you get into the cause.
2. Explain to your child what is happening. Your child may be upset because he or she does not understand what is happening. Try to speak softly and calmly. At each step you take to stop the bleeding, explain what you are doing and why you are doing it.
3. Make your child physically comfortable. When you have stopped the bleeding, hug or hold your child to put him at ease. Explain to your child that a nosebleed is scary, but it does not mean that he or she is dying or very ill.

Part 3 of 4: Understanding the causes of nosebleeds

1. Understand that toddler behavior increases the risk of nosebleeds. The nose contains many tiny blood vessels that are easily irritated when hit or punctured. Because toddlers are so curious and often clumsy, they are especially likely to get a nosebleed. Toddlers can put their fingers or small objects in their noses, and they can often slip and fall. That way they can get nosebleeds.
2. Know that your child can get a nosebleed if he or she has frequent colds. When your toddler has a cold, he or she will likely wipe, blow and touch his or her nose often. This will irritate the sensitive mucous membrane in the nose.
3. Understand that certain medications can cause nosebleeds. If your toddler is using an antihistamine in the form of a nasal spray, he or she is more likely to get a nosebleed. These drugs dry out the nasal passages, causing them to become irritated and bleed more quickly.
4. Think about the weather. Cold and dry weather makes children more likely to get nosebleeds. This problem is often caused by indoor heating, which often dries out the nasal mucosa. This makes the nasal mucosa more sensitive and will bleed more quickly.

Part 4 of 4: Prevent a nosebleed from now on

1. Ask your doctor if a bleeding disorder may be the cause. Such a disorder is rare, but if your toddler gets a nosebleed often, it could be a sign of a medical condition that prevents the blood from clotting properly. Your doctor can perform tests to test your child for such a condition.
   • If a toddler has a bleeding disorder, it is usually the case that he or she comes from a family where this disorder is common. If you, your partner or another close family member has blood clotting problems, you should talk to your doctor immediately. Also consider if your toddler is bleeding easily or bruising easily in other areas.
2. Keep your child's nasal passages moist. If your toddler has a nosebleed very often, apply a product like Vaseline in the evening to keep the nasal passages moist. You can also moisten the nasal passages with a saline solution, nasal drops, or gel.
   • It's also a good idea to put a humidifier in your child's bedroom. A humidifier prevents the air from becoming too dry, which can help prevent your child from getting nosebleeds again.
3. Avoid allergens. You may be able to prevent your child from getting a nosebleed by keeping his or her bedroom free of dust and other allergens that can dry out the nasal mucosa and cause nosebleeds. Do not expose your child to cigarette smoke. If anyone in your family smokes, ask them to smoke outside the home. Pay special attention to carpets, curtains and stuffed animals as they can trap allergens.
4. Trim your toddler's nails. Toddlers are curious creatures and often put their fingers up their noses. Keeping your child's nails short will reduce the chances of him or her getting a nosebleed as a result.
5. Make sure your child is getting the right nutrients. Make sure your child is eating a lot of healthy, unprocessed foods. Avoid artificial sweeteners as they can suppress the immune system. Also try to give your child foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can help to strengthen the immune system and blood vessels.

Tips

• Never put a tissue or anything else in your child's nose to stop the bleeding. When you take out the tissue, you can destroy the blood clot that has formed, causing your child's nose to bleed again.
• If you are concerned about getting blood on your hands, it is okay to wear a pair of thin rubber or vinyl gloves to help your child. You can buy them at most drug stores. You can find them with the patches and other first aid products.
• Blood can stain clothes, especially if it is not rinsed out completely before it dries. Rinse all items of clothing that your child has bled on as soon as possible. Don't use a piece of clothing instead of a tissue unless you have no other options.

Warnings

• Know that there is a possibility of contracting a blood-borne disease. Diseases such as hepatitis A and B, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and many other diseases can be transmitted through blood. If it is not one of your own children helping you and you do not know the child's medical history, make sure to wear gloves, especially if you have open cuts or blisters on your hands. Prevention is better than cure.