Tips When Your Kids Get A Nosebleed
Considering how weird the weather is, kids getting nosebleeds might be a little more common than we like!
Kids get nosebleeds for all sorts of reasons. Some say it’s because of a lack of Vitamin C, others say it’s stress, blowing our noses too hard, or sometimes — it’s because we didn’t drink water. Because kids are still learning to listen to their body (which they learn by watching us), they sometimes don’t notice that their noses are leaking — whether mucus or blood.
Here are some ways we’ve tested that works.
1. Plug up the bleeding with a thick enough ball of soft tissue
Although some would not advise sticking things into the nostril, something has to stop the nose from bleeding all over the place. The tissue would serve as a temporary plug while placing pressure against the nostril to stop the bleeding. It works as a remedy while we’re gathering other things like ice and a damp washcloth to clean up.
2. Pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes
Most medical websites prefer applying pressure by pinching the bleeding nostril for 10 minutes. That way, the blood vessels tighten up and bleed less. However, this works hand-in-hand with breathing through their mouth. It helps to have the tissue plug up so the leak doesn’t get all over the clothes.
3. Place ice on the bleeding nostril
Nosebleeds happen when they’re dry and the blood vessels inside tear because they lack moisture. Usually, this means our kids are dehydrated. But while they’re drinking a glass of water, place an ice pack on their nose. The cold will cause the blood vessels to contract and stop the bleeding.
4. Have them drink water
Dehydration is one of the most common reasons why kids have nosebleeds. Especially when kids are playing, the first sign is they start coughing but they don’t know it’s all because they lack water. Keeping them hydrated also allows the body to build up enough mucus to protect the sinuses from not just wear and tear but, infections too!
5. Have them lie down or look up for 10 minutes
Nobody wants blood all over the floor so having them lie down and look up for 10 minutes will at least prevent a bigger mess. It’ll also lessen the strain on their bodies and cause their hearts to pump slower, reducing the blood flow. In some cases, nosebleeds are caused by physical stress and sometimes, our kids just need to slow down.
Prevention tip for nosebleeds: a bit of nasal spray
Using nasal sprays can help speed up the healing process of the nosebleed. With the water in to moisturize the nose’s inner linings, the tear from the dryness won’t grow any bigger since the vessels can now stretch with it being moist. Plus, it’ll give the body more time to clot up the blood since the tear isn’t getting bigger. However, some kids may be allergic to certain nasal sprays so, best to consult a pediatrician to rule out any possible issues!
More first aid for kids?
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