Question: My 7 year old son has frequently nosebleeds since he was 4 years old. Is this normal?

Answer: It is not uncommon of frequent nosebleeds in children. Common causes of nosebleeds include:

• Colds and allergies
• Trauma from nose picking or blowing of nose too hard
• Low humidity in the environment e.g. spending long hours daily in an air conditioned environment
• Other causes which include abnormal growths and abnormal blood clotting are uncommon causes of nosebleeds.

When faced with a child with nose bleed. Do the following:

• Remain calm.
• Keep your child in a sitting or standing position. Tilt his head slightly forward.
• Pinch the lower half of your child’s nose (the soft part) between your thumb and finger and hold it firmly for a full ten minutes. If your child is old enough, he can do this himself.
• Release the pressure after ten minutes and wait, keeping your child quiet. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped, repeat this step. If after ten more minutes of pressure the bleeding hasn’t stopped, see your doctor.

You can reduce the frequency of nosebleeds in children by doing the following:

• Tell your child not to pick his nose
• Use saline nose drops or nasal gels to keep the nasal lining moist
• Treat any underlying nasal allergies

See your paediatrician for advice if nosebleeds are frequent, persistent or distressing.

By Dr Jenny Tang, Paediatrician, Sub-specialty in Respiratory, Sleep & Allergy Medicine
SBCC Baby & Child Clinic, Asthma, Lung, Sleep & Allergy Centre

Practice Address:
6 Napier Road
#07-05 Gleneagles Medical Centre
Singapore 258499
Tel: 6475 0820/ 6397 6966 (Hotline)
Email: info@sbcc.sg

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