Nosebleeds can occur at any time and are not always the result of injury or trauma to the nose or face. Often, a child will awake in the middle of the night with a nosebleed. Some children seem more prone to nosebleeds than others. Out of four children, I had two that always seemed to have nosebleeds while I can't recall the other two ever having one. So what causes nosebleeds in children?

Nosebleeds rarely require medical attention and can be treated by leaning forward and pinching the nose between the thumb and forefinger for several minutes. A cold pack or cloth can be applied if the bleeding persists but do consult medical assistance if the bleeding is profuse and/or persistent.

While nosebleeds are usually not serious, it is possible that frequent nosebleeds could be an indication of a medical condition such as high blood pressure. The blood vessels in the nose can be weak or sensitive and rupture easily in which case the physician may find it best to seal off the vessels using heat or another method of treatment.

For the child that wakes up in the middle of the night with a nosebleed, this can be a very frightening experience. It is also frightening for the parent especially the first time it occurs. The child may be crying or worse yet screaming. If the bleeding is fairly profuse which sometimes it is, the parents won't know what has happened or be able to immediately determine where the bleeding is coming from. It may be difficult to calm a child down if they've never had a nosebleed before. Clean away the blood that has dripped or run from the nose as quickly as possible and then let the child see that there is no injury and he or she is okay. This will help to alleviate the child's fear. If the child is old enough it might be helpful to explain that the nosebleed won't hurt him or her and that it can happen when the air is dry or if you have a cold. If nosebleeds happen frequently at night while the child is sleeping, use a humidifier in the child's bedroom.

Although most parents may not want to discuss it, young children tend to pick their noses and when they're a bit older they may decide to entertain siblings or friends by sticking things up their noses such as straws. Children should be cautioned against such behavior. Blood vessels in the nose can be ruptured in this way and children who are prone to nosebleeds can aggravate the condition by performing such actions. Use your better judgment; if your child suffers from frequent nosebleeds with no apparent cause, consult your physician.

Author: Darlene Zagata