Nose bleeds are common in babies, especially during hot summers and dry winters. What causes these nose bleeds? How should they be managed? And how can they be prevented in daily life?
Managing Baby Nose Bleeds (Public Health Network)
Causes of Baby Nose Bleeds
1.Young children have delicate nasal mucosa. In dry weather, increased blood flow to the nasal passages is needed to maintain temperature and humidity, making the mucosa prone to congestion and bleeding.
2. Trauma: Active children are prone to collisions or blows during play, causing fragile noses to bleed. Inserting foreign objects into the nose during play can also lead to nosebleeds.
3. Nose-picking: Children with allergic rhinitis or colds may experience nasal itching from runny noses or congestion, leading to sneezing or nose-picking.
4. Allergic rhinitis: Nasal allergies can cause nasal itching, leading to sneezing or nose-picking.
5. Nasal congestion: Nasal congestion from colds or allergies can cause nasal itching, leading to sneezing or nose-picking.
6. Nasal polyps: In rare cases, nasal polyps may cause nosebleeds.
7. Nasal tumors: Nasal tumors are a rare cause of nosebleeds.
8. Nasal fractures: Fractures of the nasal bones can cause nosebleeds.
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3. Nose-picking: Children with allergic rhinitis or colds may experience nasal itching due to runny noses or congestion. This leads to sneezing or picking the nostrils, damaging the fragile nasal mucosa and causing bleeding.
4. Irregular Daily Routines Many children experience nosebleeds due to irregular schedules, insufficient sleep, and weakened physical condition. Children prone to nosebleeds from irregular routines often also exhibit excessive eye discharge, nasal crusting, and bad breath.
5. Allergies: Nasal allergies are particularly noticeable in winter. The fragile nasal mucosa and dry, cold winter air can easily trigger nosebleeds. Most children prone to nosebleeds have allergic rhinitis. The nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis often shows signs of erosion. The itching sensation leads to frequent rubbing of the nose, causing injury to the mucosa and bleeding.
6. Other medical conditions: Clinically, certain systemic diseases like coagulation factor abnormalities or nasal tumors may present with nosebleeds in their early stages. If a child experiences frequent unexplained nosebleeds, it could signal an underlying condition. A visit to an ENT specialist is recommended to identify the root cause.Certain medications containing anticoagulants may also increase susceptibility to nosebleeds during treatment. Children with weakened constitutions or blood disorders like leukemia or hemophilia are more prone to nosebleeds.
Common Causes of Nosebleeds in Children
1. With spring's arrival, children's internal yang energy surges rapidly. Blood follows the energy flow, rushing upward to the nasopharynx and causing bleeding.
2. As winter gives way to spring, children shedding heavy coats and hats gain sudden access to outdoor activities. This heightened excitement increases the risk of nasal trauma and bleeding.
3. With spring's warmth, nasal blood vessels that constricted during winter expand. This causes dryness, itching, and discomfort inside the nose. Even slight picking can trigger bleeding.
4. Spring is the peak season for infectious diseases like influenza and measles. Fever can lead to secondary infections in the nasal cavity and sinuses, causing nosebleeds.Specifically, the parent should wash their hands thoroughly, then use their thumb and index finger to firmly pinch both sides of the child's nostrils for 10-20 minutes (if the bleeding originates from one nostril, apply pressure directly to that nostril). Many parents instinctively use tissue paper to plug the nose, but tissue paper often lacks sufficient pressure to stop bleeding effectively. Additionally, unsterilized tissue paper can introduce bacteria and increase infection risk.While applying pressure to the nostrils, have the child sit upright with their head tilted slightly forward and downward to allow blood to drain out of the mouth. Avoid the common mistake of having the child tilt their head back. When the head is tilted back, blood may be swallowed involuntarily, irritating the stomach and intestines and causing nausea or vomiting. This is especially dangerous during heavy bleeding, as it increases the risk of aspiration.Applying ice to the nose also aids in stopping bleeding. Cooling the bridge of the nose helps constrict blood vessels, accelerating hemostasis. However, parents should be aware that this method may trigger sneezing and nasal discharge in some children with allergies, potentially irritating blood vessels and causing renewed bleeding. Flexibility in application is key.
Step 2 for Baby's Nosebleed: Apply Vitamin E Ointment Internally
Once the bleeding stops, parents can apply a small amount of vitamin E ointment inside the child's nose. Vitamin E ointment promotes wound healing. Antibiotics or steroid ointments may also be applied.Antibiotic or steroid ointments can eliminate staphylococcus bacteria in the nasal cavity, not only relieving itching but also preventing mucus from drying and hardening (which might trigger the urge to pick the nose). If the nasal mucosa becomes painful due to dryness, aloe vera or anti-diarrheal herbal ointments can be used.
Precautions for Baby's Nosebleed
During a nosebleed, avoid consuming excessively hot foods or warm beverages.Children should consume lukewarm, protein-rich foods high in vitamins and iron, such as honey water, rice water, milk, or fruit juice. Semi-liquid foods like congee or noodles are also suitable. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods, and hard-to-chew items.
Additionally, parents should regularly encourage children to eat a variety of vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits.A foreign study indicates that children prone to nosebleeds often dislike vegetables, fruits, and other foods high in water content and vitamins. Deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, and D can cause mucosal epithelial degeneration, increased vascular fragility and permeability, leading to nosebleeds. Children with frequent nosebleeds should avoid chocolate, malted milk powder, cocoa, coffee, oranges, apricots, and similar foods.Additionally, avoid nasal injuries, actively prevent colds and tonsillitis, and minimize various triggers for nosebleeds.
Beyond maintaining a light, cool diet rich in vegetables and fruits, ensure adequate humidity at home. Dry environments force the nose to work harder. Using a humidifier is recommended to supplement air moisture. It's best to use distilled water in humidifiers to avoid impurities (like mineral deposits) found in tap water.
Nose bleeds are very common in children, and there's no need for excessive worry at home. However, if a child experiences frequent nose bleeds, or if bleeding persists heavily despite applying pressure, it could indicate nasal vascular abnormalities or tumors, coagulation disorders, or inflammation and bleeding caused by nasal foreign bodies. Medical attention must be sought promptly.
How to prevent nosebleeds in babies?
Methods to prevent nosebleeds in babies
1. During dry seasons, families with children prone to nosebleeds should keep chlortetracycline eye ointment on hand. Apply it evenly inside the nostrils daily to moisturize the nasal mucosa.
3. If nasal breathing becomes difficult at night, use a saline solution to moisten the nose. Never pick or dig inside the nostrils.
4. If a nosebleed occurs, pack the nostrils with clean, lint-free cotton to stop the bleeding. If cotton isn't available, firmly pinch the sides of the nose with your fingers for 5 minutes.
5. Have the child tilt their head forward (not backward) and raise their upper limbs to increase blood flow back to the heart via the superior vena cava, thereby reducing blood supply to the nasal cavity and stopping the bleeding.
6. Apply a cold compress to the nose to constrict nasal blood vessels.
7. Moisturize the nasal passages: When a child's nose is dry, apply petroleum jelly or glycerin drops, or gently wipe the nasal passages with a cotton ball moistened with clean water.[2]
8. Limit vigorous activity and prevent nasal trauma: Besides local nasal inflammation, intense physical exertion can dilate nasal mucosal blood vessels or cause nasal itching. Children picking their noses also frequently triggers bleeding. Beyond avoiding strenuous exercise, encourage good habits like refraining from nose-picking.
9.Pay attention to diet: During dry seasons, reduce consumption of fried and greasy foods while increasing intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Ensure adequate hydration. 10. Prevent respiratory illnesses: Infectious diseases like colds, tonsillitis, pneumonia, or mumps can cause nasal mucosal congestion and swelling, potentially leading to capillary rupture and bleeding. Therefore, preventing respiratory illnesses is crucial for reducing nosebleeds.