Bleeding From The Nose (Epistaxis)
CAUSES: Nosebleeds can occur because of direct injury to the
nose and due to nose picking. Sometimes, it may also be a
manifestation of a generalised bleeding disorder, or because of
an infection or a foreign body in the nose.
TREATMENT: Step 1: Do not show any panic. Let the child
sit up in bed or on a chair or on the floor. He should be
leaning slightly forward.
Step 2: Pinch the nose for at least 10 minutes. The child
can open his mouth if he likes. Often, the nose bleeding will
stop with this procedure.
Step 3: If bleeding continues, try to get in touch with a
doctor. In the meanwhile, take some cotton, roll it into a thick
wad large enough to occupy the nostril which is bleeding. Leave
a part of this wad of cotton outside the nose. If some hydrogen
peroxide is available, moisten the cotton with it or lubricate
it with Vaseline. But do not waste precious time searching for
these things. Just a wad of cotton will serve the purpose.
Again, pinch the nostril for at least 10 minutes, keeping your
child upright. After the bleeding stops, leave the cotton in the
nostril for the day or overnight. Then take it out gently. Make
sure that the child does not pick at the nose.
Step 4: If
the bleeding still continues, you should see your doctor. In the meanwhile, you
may try pressing on the
big vessels that go up the nose. Put a wad of cotton between
the upper lip and the gums below the nose and press firmly
on the cotton from outside.
PREVENTION: Keep the child’s nails short and explain
to him that he should avoid picking his nose. If you notice
a crust near the opening of the nose, apply Vaseline on it. A
child who bleeds in a particular season may be helped by
application of Vaseline inside the nose, twice a day, all through the
season.
Foreign Body In The Nose
Toddlers tend to put small beads, pebbles, buttons, etc.
into their nostrils. They may or may not tell you about it. A
few days later, a foul discharge comes from the nostrils, sometimes accompanied by blood.
MANAGEMENT: If the foreign
body can be seen near the opening of the nose, attempt to remove it with tweezers.
Otherwise, press against the clear nostril and ask the
child to blow out forcefully from the blocked side. If even this
does not help, take the child to the casualty department of a
hospital for the removal.
Direct Injury To The Nose
Apply cold compresses with ice for about an hour.
See your doctor if you find that there is obstruction to
free flow of air through the nostrils, or if you notice any
obvious deformity.
