Do you also have nosebleeds? Don't worry! Let's talk about nosebleeds in detail!

It's normal to feel a little scared when you see a nosebleed. Sometimes, it can be even more alarming when there's a lot of bleeding. But in reality, most of the time, it's not a serious problem. If we're aware of this, we can avoid being unnecessarily scared and do the right thing.

What does a nosebleed mean? (What is a nosebleed?)

Simply put, a nosebleed is the bursting of one or more of the tiny blood vessels inside the nose. Think about it, the inside of our nose is made of very delicate skin. Beneath that skin is a network of tiny blood vessels. These can be injured by even the smallest thing.

Most of the time, when children get nosebleeds, it's from the front of the nose. The middle wall that separates the two nostrils (doctors also call it the `(Septum)`), that's where most of the bleeding occurs. Doctors call it an `(anterior nosebleed)`. It usually starts in one nostril. This is the most common and least scary situation.

However, very rarely, bleeding can occur from deep inside the nose, closer to the throat. This is called a ``posterior nosebleed''. This is more common in older people, those with high blood pressure, or those who have had a major injury to the nose or face. If this happens, you should be a little careful.

What causes nosebleeds in children?

Now let's see why our little ones often get nosebleeds. There could be several reasons:

• Dry air: This is the main reason. Especially in cold weather, or when you spend a lot of time in rooms with `AC` on, the delicate membranes inside the nose dry out. Then they can easily burst. Think of it like a dry leaf, it breaks even if you crush it a little, right? That's how it is.

• Nose picking: Little ones often pick their noses. Sometimes, a nail injury or even a simple finger pick can injure the delicate blood vessels inside the nose. This is a common cause of nosebleeds among children. For example, Nimali's teacher said that little Saman in her class often picks his nose, causing him to have nosebleeds.

• Minor injuries: If you bump your nose while playing, running, or jumping, or if you get into a small fight with a friend and get a small bump on your nose, it can also cause bleeding.

• Colds, Allergies, and Infections: When you have a cold, allergies, or sinus infections (such as sinusitis), the inside of your nose can become swollen and red. This can lead to blood vessels being damaged by frequent nose picking and nose blowing.

• Foreign object in the nose: Very young children, between the ages of 2 and 5, sometimes put small objects like toys, peas, and erasers in their noses. This can cause injuries and bleeding inside the nose. Sometimes, if the discharge comes from only one side and has a foul odor, this should be suspected.

• Strong odors or smoke: Sometimes things like strong perfumes, fumes from chemicals, and cigarette smoke can irritate the nose, causing it to dry out and bleed.

• Rarely, other causes: Very rarely, nosebleeds can occur if you have a bleeding disorder or if you take certain medications, such as aspirin (which are rarely given to children unless prescribed by a doctor). However, these are not common causes.

What to do when you have a nosebleed? How to give first aid properly!

Okay, now what do you do if your baby or you get a nosebleed? Don't panic, just follow these steps. This is the most important part.

1. Calm down, calm down: First of all, calm yourself down. If you get nervous, the person who is bleeding will be even more scared. If it's a small child, calm them down and say, 'Don't be afraid, son/daughter, I'm here, we'll fix this quickly.'

2. Sit or stand. Bend your head forward:

• Never lie down. Stand or sit in a chair.
• Tilt your head forward a little . A mistake that many people make is tilting your head back. Doing so can cause blood to go down your throat, causing coughing, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes, blood can go down your stomach and cause stomach cramps. So, tilt your head forward! Remember this well.

3. Pinch the soft part of the nose:

• Use your index finger and thumb to firmly pinch the soft part of your nose (where the nostrils are) against the hard bone (the hard part at the top of your nose). It's like holding a clothespin.
• Breathe through your mouth while holding it like this.

4. Press and hold for 10 minutes:

• This is the hardest thing for most people. You need to hold your nose for at least 10 minutes at a time. Look at a watch, or ask someone else to look at the time.
• Don't remove your hand halfway through and ask, "Has the bleeding stopped?" If you do, the place where the blood clot started will open again and the bleeding will start. So don't stop for 10 minutes!

5. If it doesn't stop? Another 10 minutes:

• If the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes of pressing, don't panic, and continue pressing your nose for another 10 minutes .

6. If it still doesn't stop, see a doctor:

• If the bleeding does not stop after the second 10 minutes, that is, if it continues to bleed after about 20 minutes of pressure, you should definitely see a doctor. Then tell your mom, dad, or another adult to take you to a doctor.

7. Do not do these things after the bleeding stops:

• After the nosebleed stops , don't pick your nose, scratch your nose, or blow your nose vigorously for a few hours. Doing so may cause the nosebleed to come back.
• Don't bend over for a long time or lift heavy weights.
• Limit your intake of hot drinks and spicy foods. These can dilate blood vessels and cause bleeding.

Important: Do not try to roll cotton balls into your nose and press them. I have seen some people do that. This will stop the bleeding temporarily, but when you remove the cotton ball, the blood clot may come back and start bleeding again. It can also cause infection. This is a type of ``nasal packing'' that a doctor does.

When should we see a doctor?

While most nosebleeds can be stopped at home, there are times when it's essential to seek medical advice. Let's take a look at some of these situations:

• If the bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes of holding your nose: As we discussed earlier, if the bleeding doesn't stop after holding your nose for 10 minutes, that is, for about 20 minutes, and the bleeding doesn't stop, or if it continues, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If you have frequent nosebleeds: If you have frequent nosebleeds, such as several times a week or even every day, there may be an underlying cause. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor to find out the cause.

• If the bleeding is very heavy: If the bleeding is not a little, but a lot of it, fast and in large quantities, that is also a matter of concern.

• If you are bleeding after a major injury: If you are bleeding after a hard blow to the head, face, or nose, such as after a fall from a height, it may not just be a nosebleed, but a more serious internal injury. Especially if you are bleeding from the nose after a blow to the head, it may be due to a skull fracture. So go to the hospital immediately.

• If you feel short of breath, dizzy, or weak: If you have a nosebleed and feel short of breath, dizzy, very pale, or feel lifeless, you may have lost a little too much blood. See a doctor.

• If you are taking blood thinners: If you or your child are taking blood thinners (such as Warfarin or Aspirin) for any medical condition, it may be difficult to stop a nosebleed. Therefore, it is best to inform a doctor.

• If you also get bruises on other parts of your body: If you often see things like nosebleeds and other parts of your body turning blue and bruises, it could be a sign of a blood-related problem. It's still important to get a medical checkup.

• If you suspect something is stuck in your nose: If you have a foul-smelling discharge from only one side of your nose, especially in a young child, you should check to see if there is something stuck inside your nose. If you suspect something is stuck, don't try to remove it yourself, but see a doctor.

A few tips to prevent nosebleeds

Frequent nosebleeds are really annoying. So, there are a few things we can do to reduce and prevent this condition.

• Keep the inside of the nose moist:
• Dry air is a major enemy. So try to keep the air in your home, especially the bedroom, moist. You can use a humidifier for this. Or, you can keep a bowl of water in the room.
• You can use a saline nasal spray or gel as directed by your doctor. These help prevent dryness inside the nose and retain moisture. You can spray them into both nostrils two or three times a day.

• Avoid/Prevent nosebleeds:
• This is a little difficult for little ones, but teach them as much as possible that picking their nose is a bad habit.
• Keep your children's nails short. That way, even if they break their nose, there's less chance of internal injuries.

• Blow your nose slowly:
• When you have a cold or a runny nose, don't blow your nose too hard. Doing so can increase the pressure inside your nose and cause blood vessels to burst. Close one nostril and blow slowly through the other.

• Control allergies:
• If you have allergies, take the necessary medications to control them. This will reduce the frequency of nosebleeds, runny nose, and sneezing, which may also reduce the frequency of nosebleeds.

• Wear protective gear when playing sports:
• If you play sports that can injure your nose (e.g. cricket, rugby, boxing), wear appropriate protective face gear.

• Avoid smoking and stay away from people who smoke:
• Cigarette smoke dries out the inside of your nose and damages the delicate membranes. So if you smoke, stop. Also, avoid spending time in places where other people smoke.

The most important things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, we've talked a lot about nosebleeds. Finally, here are some of the most important things you need to remember:

• Nosebleeds are usually not serious, especially in children, so don't worry unnecessarily.
• It is very important to know the correct first aid method. Lean forward and press the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes. Remember, do not tilt your head back!
• If the bleeding does not stop within 20 minutes, if it is frequent, or if there are other serious symptoms (excessive bleeding, bleeding after an injury, dizziness), you should definitely see a doctor.
• Simple things like keeping the inside of the nose moist and avoiding nosebleeds can go a long way toward preventing nosebleeds.

So, the next time you or your child gets a nosebleed, don't panic, don't panic, remember these things, and do the right thing. The most important thing is to stay calm before anything else. Got it?

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