Pregnancy And Baby Care Toddler Illness Toddler Nosebleeds

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Reasons of nosebleeds in Toddlers

Toddler nosebleeds occur most often in winters when the weather is drier. It can also occur because your toddler is allergic to something. Sometimes, nosebleeds in toddlers are a reaction to some medication. The nose has several blood vessels very close to the surface in the nasal cavity. This being the case, it takes very little prodding for the blood vessels to burst and cause a nosebleed.

At times, especially if you live in dry weather, a little rubbing or digging of the nose can also cause a nosebleed for the toddler.

Treatment of a nosebleed for Toddlers

Most commonly, perhaps because we've seen it on TV too often, the natural inclination when you spot a nosebleed is to lean the head back. Do not tell your toddler to do that. It's the worst possible thing to do. If anything, you should tell your toddler to bend the head forward. Bending backwards allows the blood to run into the nose and this could create a nauseous feeling for your toddler and he may even throw up.

It is also advisable not to stick a tissue or cotton into the nose. While sticking a tissue stops the bleeding, it's only temporary. The second you remove the cotton or tissue, the clotted blood breaks free and the nosebleed may resume again.

One thing that can be done is to apply some cold compress on the bridge of the nose.

Also, take your toddler on your lap, ask him to breathe with his mouth and gently apply pressure on the nose with your thumb and index finger. Keep this up for ten minutes and then check if the bleeding has stopped. If it hasn't, continue to do so for another five or ten minutes. That should stop the bleeding.

Most importantly, remain calm about it. If your toddler sees you panicking at the sight of blood, he could get extremely nervy and cranky too. Also, while you're trying to stop the nosebleed, it would be a good idea to distract your tot with some toy or music or video. If you are calm about it, your toddler won't treat it as a big deal either.

Preventing nosebleeds in Toddlers

Nosebleeds in toddlers happen most often as a result of dry, cold weather. Therefore, you can use a humidifier in your child's room to ensure his skin, and particularly his nose, doesn't get dry. Also, applying some petroleum jelly under the nose, on the outside, helps retain moisture. There are also salty nose drops available, which also help keep the nasal cavity moist.

Keep your toddler's nails trimmed at all times, so he doesn't cause a nosebleed by digging his nose too hard. Try and distract your child from rubbing, scratching or digging his nose.

While it’s always hard to deal with blood dripping from your little one's nose onto his clothes and everywhere else, the good news it's not painful for your child and that given some time, it will stop happening, even without treatment.