Nosebleeds are very common during childhood. They are usually caused by trauma – rubbing or picking the nose, falling on the nose, sniffing or blowing the nose hard, etc. Nosebleeds are also caused by dryness to the nasal lining. All of these behaviors are increased in children with nasal allergies.
It is very common for a child to have another nosebleed in the hours to days following the first nosebleed. The fragile scab that forms is easily disturbed, causing the nose to bleed again from the same spot.
Some children have repeated nosebleeds from the same nostril over several weeks time. This condition may be due to a small, fragile blood vessel that is too close to the surface and therefore easily damaged.
Rarely, recurrent nosebleeds are caused by a bleeding problem.
Do not be alarmed if after a nosebleed, a child may have bowel movements that contain bright red or black from swallowed blood. Also, they may vomit swallowed blood.
Call if fairly significant bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of pressure.
Call during office hours if nosebleeds are recurring over several weeks or for other unexplained signs of bruising or bleeding.
phone: (616) 243-9515
FAX: (616) 243-1815
after hours: (616) 776-7401
or contact us via the Patient Portal
Alger Pediatrics
733 Alger St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507