Bleeding from the nose (epistaxis) is a common complaint in children. It can be quite stressful for a parent to see their child bleeding even though bleeding stops with pressure alone in many cases.
Why do children bleed from their noses? Bleeding from the nose in children commonly occurs from the anterior part of the nose called the nasal septum. This part of the nose has a big plexus of blood vessels and is very vascular. Bleeding may start spontaneously or after minor trauma. In a majority of children the bleeding stops with pressure within several minutes. In a small minority, bleeding may occur as clots and may last for about 30 to 40 minutes. This is usually seen in older children. Family history of nose bleeds may be present.
Exam of the nose may be normal or show signs of recent bleeding in the form of a small blood clot or scab in the front part of the nasal cavity. The blood vessel causing the issue may also be seen. There may be associated signs of nasal allergies. A good history and physical exam of the nose usually helps to rule out more complex causes of nose bleeds, such as bleeding or clotting disorders, benign tumors of the nose and other familial conditions.
How are nose bleeds treated? The majority of patients will respond to saline sprays and Vaseline or topical antibiotic ointment. Vaseline ointment helps prevent the nose from getting too dry. It is usually recommended that Vaseline ointment be applied two times every day. Sometimes a small procedure may be performed during an office visit which is called as cauterization. It is essentially chemically burning the offending blood vessel with a compound called silver nitrate. In some cases, more than one cauterization may be required. If blood vessels are seen on both sides, usually only one side is cauterized at a time. A small minority of patients continue to bleed despite these measures. These patients may benefit from cauterization in the operating room with suction bovie under anesthesia.
When does a child need to see a specialist for nose bleeds? Many children with nose bleeds can be managed by the pediatrician. Some parents need simple reassurance from a specialist. The main role of a specialist is evaluating children who continue to bleed despite conservative measures. If the pediatrician thinks that the nose bleed is a symptom of something more complex inside the nose they need to be referred to a specialist.
To learn more about otolaryngology, please visit www.texaschildrens.org/departments/ear-nose-and-throat-otolaryngology.
Author
Dr. Shraddha Mukerji, otolaryngologist