Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Healthy Living/When Your Child Gets A Nosebleed: DOs and DON’Ts

When Your Child Gets A Nosebleed: DOs and DON’Ts

When Your Child Gets A Nosebleed: DOs and DON’Ts
April 30, 2019
Amy Myer, MSN, CNP
2 Comments

Nosebleeds can be alarming for kids and parents alike, especially if there wasn’t an injury. 

The good news is that most nosebleeds can be treated at home without medical intervention. Aside from some sort of trauma, nosebleeds most frequently happen due to dry air, nose picking, and aggressive hygiene. Follow these DOs and DON’Ts to treat and help prevent them:

WHEN YOUR CHILD GETS A NOSEBLEED:

DOs

  • Pinch the nose on the soft part, underneath the bone.
  • Hold pressure on the nose for 10 minutes straight, even after it stops bleeding.
  • Go back to regular activities after pinching the nose for 10 minutes.
  • Tilt the head slightly forward, so that blood doesn’t drip down the throat.
  • Use preventive measures to keep the nose hydrated, such as non-petroleum ointment like Aquaphor, airgel, or nasal spray.
  • Run a humidifier at night to keep the air moisturized.
  • Call your doctor if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes straight of pinching the nose.

DON’Ts

  • Tilt the head back when stopping a nose bleed; the blood will run down the throat.
  • Put tissues or cotton balls up the nose to try to stop the bleeding; a scab will form around the tissue and will be pulled off when the tissue is removed.
  • Pick the nose; it can cause the nose to bleed. If something needs to be removed from the nose, spray an airgel or saline spray to moisturize it and help it come off. Picking it when dry will peel off the scab and may lead to bleeding.
  • Use nasal spray improperly. When nasal sprays are used for conditions like allergies, it’s important to spray it away from the nasal septum because doing so can cause irritation and overtime, nose bleeds.

The vast majority of the time, nosebleeds are not concerning and can be managed at home. However, a few situations do warrant a call to your doctor:

  • Multiple nosebleeds a week that don’t get better with pressure.
  • When a decongestant like Afrin doesn’t help stop the bleeding.
  • If the nosebleed happens as a result of trauma and you believe it may be broken or fractured.

For more information about otolaryngology at Cincinnati Children’s, please call 513-636-4355 or email ent@cchmc.org.

Related Articles

Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious?
Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious?
Tonsils 101: When It’s Time to Remove Them
Tonsils 101: When It’s Time to Remove Them
Ear Tubes: What Parents Need To Know
Ear Tubes: What Parents Need To Know
TAGS:
  • ENT

About the author: Amy Myer, MSN, CNP

Amy Myer, MSN, CNP, has been a certified pediatric nurse practitioner in the division of Otolaryngology for the last 12 years. Currently she provides care across the continuum for pediatric patients with congenital and acquired anomalies of the aerodigestive tract at Cincinnati Children’s.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

Vicky May 10, 2019 at 1:15 am

Thanks for posting useful information to keep in mind when nose bleeding occurs. Ensure that blood does not move to internal organs which can cause clotting.

ACE ENT Clinic February 15, 2023 at 1:08 am

Great information about Nosebleeds. it’s really helpful for the reader.

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 839 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 609 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 507 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 301 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 264 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 222 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center