While nosebleeds can occur at any age, they are quite common in children. In fact, most parents will tell you that young children will experience one or more nosebleeds before they are teens. Even if this problem is commonplace, that doesn’t make it any less scary for parents. After all, it can look like a lot of blood, and if the child swallows any of it, they can end up vomiting.
So, if your child has a nosebleed, it would help immensely if you knew what may be causing it. Of course, chronic nosebleeds should warrant a visit to the doctor, but you may be able to get an idea of what is going on immediately based on your child’s situation. Here are some of the most common causes of nosebleeds in kids.
The common cold
Children commonly get colds. The virus is so common that many kids get sick more than once a year. It doesn’t help that little ones will wipe their nose with their hands and immediately handle toys. The concept of keeping germ free is commonly lost on children.
When children get a cold, the tender tissues inside of their nose can become inflamed and swollen and this can result in a nosebleed. The same can be true of allergies. Hay fever especially can cause the tissue within the nose to become inflamed and irritated.
Humidity issues
If you live in low humidity areas, then nosebleeds can come out of seemingly nowhere. That’s because the dry air also dries out the lining inside of the nose. As a result, the lining becomes irritated and spontaneous bleeding may occur. In these cases, it may make the most sense to purchase a humidifier for your child’s room.
Traumatic actions
As you probably already know, children do tend to pick their noses, and more than one child has even stuck something up a nostril. This type of activity can cause enough trauma to lead to a nose bleed. Other trauma that could result in the same problem include blowing the nose too hard or getting hit in the nose by an object like a ball.
Anatomical issues
There are certain conditions of the anatomical makeup within the nose that can lead to chronic nosebleeds. For example, a deviated septum, which means the center portion of the nose is not even, can lead to the problem.
Additionally, if there are abnormal growths inside of the nose, such as polyps, then nosebleeds may be more common. Generally, these growths are not malignant, but they should be checked by an ENT specialist.
Problems with blood clotting
If a child has a condition that makes blood clotting difficult, this can make them more susceptible to nose bleeds. One common condition is hemophilia. In addition, certain medications can actually thin the blood, making it more difficult to clot as well. One of these is Aspirin.
While most nosebleeds in children are not dangerous, it is still smart to visit a doctor. That’s because, in some instances, this problem could be connected to chronic illness. By visiting an ENT specialist, it will be easier to rule out any serious problems that could be attributed to the chronic nosebleed.
If you have any questions about nosebleeds in children, contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see an ear nose and throat specialist.
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