How to Care for Your Child with Epistaxis (Nosebleed)

This leaflet will provide you with information about Epistaxis (Nosebleed) causes, treatment and home care advice.

What is a Nosebleed?

Nosebleed or Epistaxis is very common in children. Most causes are not serious.

The leading causes of nosebleeds are:

Nose picking –when the air is dry, the mucous in their nose becomes crusty, and children tend to pick their noses
Dry air – this is common in dry weather

Most Nosebleed can be easily treated at home.

Stay calm and comfort your child
Gently ask your child (if he is old enough) to blow his/her nose to get rid of some of the clots that have formed inside your child's nostrils. This may increase the bleeding temporarily, but that's OK.
Have your child sit up and lean forward to prevent blood going in the back of your child's throat that can make him/her vomit
Apply firm pressure (pinch) on the soft part of their nose for at least 10 minutes. Do not release the pressure so often to check whether the bleeding has stopped. The bleeding may not stop if you release the pressure too soon.
Ask your child to breathe through his/her mouth
After 10 minutes, check for bleeding.
If it is still bleeding, apply pressure for another 10 minutes.
If bleeding continues, apply pressure for further 10 minutes
Seek emergency medical care If you have applied pressure for a total of at least 30 minutes and the bleeding did not stop,
After the Nosebleed has stopped, ensure your child play quietly and do not pick or rub their nose for the next few hours

Ensure child's nails short to prevent nose picking
Try to increase the humidity in your home, or get a cool-mist humidifier for your child's room
Apply some moisture (like petroleum jelly) to your child's nose twice a day to keep the nose moist.
Encourage your child to do quieter activities for one to two days after Nosebleed
Advise your child to avoid lifting or straining for the next 2-3 days
Limit medicines like nasal sprays

Seek medical advice if:

You have applied pressure for a total of at least 30 minutes, and the bleeding did not stop
Your child feels lightheaded or dizzy after a nosebleed
Your child is at risk because they have a medical condition