Do you also have nosebleeds? (Epistaxis) Don't worry, let's talk about this!

Oh my! Even if we see a drop or two of blood coming out of our nose, we still get a little scared, don't we? It's normal for us as parents to feel very scared, especially when a small child's nose is bleeding. But did you know that most of the time, this nosebleed (in medical terms, `( Epistaxis )`) is not as dangerous as it seems. However, it's good for everyone to be a little aware of this.

Why is there blood coming from this nose? What are the common causes?

We call nosebleeds `(Epistaxis)`. This can happen quite often in young children. Some children may only have it occasionally, while others may have it more frequently.

Most nosebleeds, especially in children, come from the front of the nose. There's a wall that separates your nostrils, we call it the nasal septum (doctors also call it the ``Nasal Septum ''), and most of the time, the blood comes from the tiny blood vessels in the front of it. These usually start in one nostril.

However, very rarely, blood can come from inside the nose, a little behind it. But this happens mostly in older people, or those with high blood pressure (Hypertension / High Blood Pressure), or those who have suffered some kind of injury to the nose or face.

So, in general, there are several reasons why nosebleeds occur:

• Dryness inside the nose: This is the main reason. Especially in cold, dry weather, or when you stay in `AC` rooms all day, the moisture inside the nose decreases and dries out. Then the delicate blood vessels inside can burst.
• Nose Picking: This is something that young children often do. Whether it's a nail injury or just a finger prick, the delicate areas inside the nose can be injured and bleed.
• Scratching the nose vigorously: When we have a cold or an allergy to something like dust, we often scratch our nose vigorously. Doing so can also cause bleeding.
• Minor injuries: If you get a little bump somewhere while playing, running, or jumping, it can cause bleeding.
• Allergies : Some people have allergies to things like dust and pollen (Allergic Rhinitis). The inside of the nose can become swollen, itchy, and bleed.
• Colds and sinus infections (`Sinusitis`): In such infections, the blood vessels inside the nose can become thin and bleed.
• Foreign objects getting into the nose: Young children sometimes put things like toys or peas in their nose. Even then, blood can come out.
• Certain medications: People who take medications that reduce blood clotting (e.g., `Aspirin`, `Warfarin`) are also more likely to have nosebleeds.
• Rarely, other causes: Bleeding disorders and nasal polyps can also be very rare causes.

What do you do without panicking when you have blood coming from your nose?

Okay, now let's see what you should do if your nose starts bleeding. It's very important to follow these steps exactly.

1. Don't slouch! Sit up straight:

The first thing is, don't make the person who is bleeding lie down. Make them sit upright in a chair, or ask them to stand.

2. Use a tissue to wipe away the blood:

Use a clean tissue or a small piece of damp cloth to help wipe away any blood that comes out.

3. Tilt your head forward - never backward!

This is very important . A mistake that many people make is tilting their head back. Never do that. Tilting their head back can cause blood to go into the throat, cause coughing, vomiting, and possibly even cause difficulty breathing. Therefore, ask them to tilt their head forward a little .

4. Tighten the soft part of the nose:

Use your thumb and index finger to pinch the soft part of your nose (the part with the nostrils) just below the bony part (the hard part) and hold it firmly, like you would a clothespin. Ask them to breathe through their mouth while they hold it.

5. Hold for 10 minutes:

You should definitely hold your nose in this way for at least 10 minutes. Holding it for a while and then holding it again will not work. Check the time and hold it for exactly 10 minutes. Maybe 10 minutes seems like a long time to you, but it is important to do this correctly. If possible, ask someone else to check the time.

6. What if the bleeding doesn't stop?

If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of pressure, apply pressure again for another 10 minutes as before.

7. If bleeding is still present, seek medical advice:

If the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure for a second time (that is, a total of 20 minutes), or if the bleeding seems to be very heavy, see a doctor immediately. Ask an adult at home to go to the nearest hospital or your family doctor as soon as possible.

8. Don't mention these things!

Do not pick your nose, put your fingers inside, rub vigorously, or scratch your nose vigorously, both during and after bleeding. Doing so may cause the bleeding to start again. Also, avoid doing activities such as running, jumping, or lifting weights for a few hours after the bleeding stops.

In summary: Sit down, tilt your head forward, and press the soft part of your nose for 10 minutes. This is the basics.

When should we really be worried about nosebleeds?

We now know that most nosebleeds are not serious. However, there are some cases when we should definitely seek medical advice.

• If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of pressure.
• If the nosebleeds are very frequent (e.g. several times a week).
• If the amount of blood that flows at once is too much.
• If you feel dizzy, extremely tired, and very weak along with your nosebleed.
• If you are bleeding from other places, such as your nose, mouth (gums), stool, or urine,
• If you just have bruises on your body.
• If you are taking blood thinners.
• If you have nosebleeds after a major head injury.
• If you have difficulty breathing.
• If the child looks very pale and weak.

If you have any of these symptoms, it is wise to see a doctor immediately.

What can we do to prevent nosebleeds?

Although we can't completely prevent nosebleeds from happening, there are a few things we can do to reduce them:

• Keep the inside of the nose moist:
• If the weather is dry, you can use a humidifier in the room.
• You can ask your doctor for advice on using a saline gel or saline nasal spray inside your nose. These will help reduce dryness inside your nose.
• Drinking several glasses of water a day is also good for hydration.
• Avoid breaking the nose (especially in children):
• Keep children's nails short.
• Teach them lovingly that touching their nose is not a good thing.
• Gently scrub your nose:
• When you have a cold, get used to scratching gently, rather than scratching vigorously.
• Control allergies:
• If you have an allergy to something like dust or pollen, see a doctor and get the right treatment for it.
• Be safe:
• Wear protective gear when playing sports, especially sports that can cause facial injuries.

What do you do when you go to the doctor?

If you go to see a doctor because you have frequent nosebleeds or a large amount of bleeding, he/she may do the following:

• They will ask you questions like: how long you've been bleeding, how often, how much blood you bleed at a time, whether you're taking any other medications, and whether you have any other medical conditions.
• Nasal examination: Using a small torch and a device (`nasal speculum`), the doctor will examine the inside of the nose to see where the blood is coming from and if there is anything, such as an injury or tumor.
• Cauterization: Sometimes, if the bleeding is clearly visible in a small vein, it can be stopped by cauterizing it with a chemical (such as `Silver Nitrate`) or by electrocauterizing it. This is usually not very painful.
• Nasal Packing: If the bleeding is difficult to stop, a doctor may place a special medicated nasal pack or something like an inflatable balloon inside the nose and hold it in place. This may need to be left in place for several days.
• Blood tests: Very rarely, if a blood clotting problem is suspected, a blood sample may be taken and tested.

The most important thing to keep in mind (Take-Home Message)

It's true that seeing blood coming from your nose can be a little scary. However, most of the time, it's not serious and can be controlled with simple first aid at home.

The most important thing is not to panic when bleeding, but to provide proper first aid (sit down, tilt your head forward, and press the soft part of your nose for 10 minutes).

However, if the bleeding does not stop, if it is frequent, or if you have any of the warning signs mentioned earlier, do not delay seeing a doctor.

Wishing you and your family good health!

` Nosebleed, Epistaxis, Nosebleed in Children, Nose Stuffing, First Aid, Epistaxis, Nosebleed in Children