What causes nosebleeds in children?
Parents, who are much more careful and devoted when it comes to their children, may experience anxiety and stress in the face of sudden nosebleeds. Especially bleeding, which is different from any disease, causes families to panic.
Otorhinolaryngology Specialist Dr. Naser Dadashzade answered the questions about nosebleeds.
What are the causes of nosebleeds in children?
Bleeding caused by inserting a finger or foreign body into the nose
Upper respiratory tract infections (sinusitis, flual infections)
Allergic rhinitis (may cause bleeding by irritating the nasal mucosa)
Hypertension (rarely seen in children)
Bleeding may occur during excessive exercise.
Trauma, falling and impact
Blood diseases, thrombocyte deficiency, blood diseases such as leukemia, coagulation hormone deficiency
Problems in the nasal vessels, masses
How many times a day and what intensity of bleeding should a doctor be consulted?
It is important that nosebleeds occur when there is no infection or cause. Infections require treatment. If there is frequent but little bleeding, it is not urgent; but minor but heavy bleeding may require intervention.
What tests are ordered when bleeding occurs?
Simple capillary bleeding may not need testing the first time. In excessive bleeding, bleeding and coagulation factors and blood count are sufficient.
What is done for diagnosis other than blood tests?
Intranasal examination is the best method. Radiological examinations other than blood tests may be helpful, especially if there is a history of trauma. Sometimes, if there is bruising on the arms and legs in the family or patient’s history, a systemic disease is investigated.
What options are there in the treatment for bleeding?
First of all, bleeding from both wings can be controlled by creating pressure in the nose with the finger. Cauterization (burning with a silver nitrate stick or using electrocautery in advanced stages) is sufficient for capillary bleeding. Sometimes intranasal tampons can be used to control bleeding. These tampons are soft spongy tampons that no longer hurt and can also be breathed through.
How long does nosebleed treatment take?
Treatment varies depending on the cause. The burning is over in a few minutes. Tampon is also not a time-consuming treatment. Tampons can be kept for 2-3 days, in advanced and severe cases up to 7 days. In these cases, antibiotic support is required. The patient is advised to avoid blowing the nose and applying pressure to the nose (during sneezing).
What should be done in terms of first aid application when bleeding occurs?
The first thing to do is to remain calm.
If you panic, many things you need to do may not come to mind.
The head is slightly tilted forward and the two nose wings are pressed with two fingers.
After three to four minutes, the nose is cleaned using cold water in the sink with a light blowing.
Clots formed in the nose are removed. (Coats remaining in the nose continue to bleed.) The
nose is pressed again, and if the bleeding continues, a doctor is consulted.