Ok, when it comes to bloody noses, I'm really at a loss. I don't think I ever had one... Can't remember siblings having one... I do know that you're suppose to tilt your head backwards until it stops... (easier said then done with a three year old!)
So my 3 year old daughter collided with another child at the playground this evening. His head went into her face. They both seemed fine immediately afterwards; she pretty much blew the collision off (blew it off--ha! no pun intended!). However, when we got home, I noticed that her nose had started to bleed. Not gushing. No visible bruising on her cheeks, nose or eye area either. Little clots streaming out here and there.
How do you know if a bloody nose is serious or not? I assume if it doesn't stop bleeding (?) but is there anything else to keep an eye out for?
Thanks.
Thank you to everyone. Honestly, I felt silly asking about nose bleeds--BUT not anymore! I feel so much more educated now. Thanks for the info on the brain fluid... I'll just tuck that away in my mommy brain (and hopefully never need to use it!) And yes, I do need to do the CPR class. That's a good reminder.
Heather P. Said it ALL....good job!
from an EMT, CNA, CPR/1ST Aide instructor. for 18 years!
CPR/1st Aide is a must for everyone.
One thing to watch for (and you may be out of the woods already on this one, but...) if the bleeding stops and she has clear fluid coming out. Take some of the fluid and put it on a piece of paper and let it stand for a few minutes - if it dries up - it's snot. If it DOESN'T dry - you need to take her to the ER because it's probably CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid - leaking from her brain).
A second test (bear with me on this one...) is to actually taste the fluid. If it's sweet - it's CSF. Snot will taste like snot. Normally I'd suggest having the person taste their own, but since she's 3yo (and if she's like my daughter on her sweet/sour/salty taste differences) she's not going to be able to taste and tell you exactly what it tastes like, so you would need to do it. This is a quick way to rule out a VERY serious complication!
Otherwise keep an eye on her demeaner - lethargic, "out of it", nausea, vomiting and just not acting like herself are all signs of a mild concussion... and at that age, needs medical attention. Hope this helps!
Bloody noses are not an issue so long as they stop bleeding after no longer than ten minutes. When someone has a bloody nose DO NOT tilt the head backward- it can lead to airway occlusion or blood in the stomach which causes vomiting. Hold firm direct pressure at the soft part of the nose pinching the nostrils together. Do not allow the victim to blow or "sniff" their nose because that will open up the clots. I would suggest contacting your local Fire/EMS or American Heart Association office and look into some First Aid CPR classes. You can make it a group thing. Too many moms in the world don't know the appropriate way to handle choking in a child and even fewer know CPR. I personally think every parent should take a class. I'm not sure if this comes off as offensive but I truly do not intend it that way. I work as an EMT and it's kind of a touchy subject.
Karen, I have had nose bleeds all my life (37 years) and the one thing I can say is don't lean the child's head back. The blood/snot runs down the back of their throat and gives them a stomach ache. Best thing is to pinch the bridge of the nose and maintain a tissue under the nostril. Eventually, a clot will form and come out. Also, take a small piece of tissue paper and fold it to about an inch long. Wet the tissue paper and then place it under the top lip. This puts pressure on the nose and helps stop the bleeding. I can't tell you how many times I slept like that as a child.
Jennifer, thanks for your response. That is information I will never forget.
As you said - unless a bloody nose continues to bleed it's nothing serious and will eventually clot and stop bleeding.
My daughter has suffered from nose bleeds since she was a baby - she's known how to handle them since she was about 5 (she's now 9).
Actually you are not suppose to tilt your head back - the blood runs down your throat into your stomache and cause vomiting. Instead you pinch your nose just below your eyes - about where a nose piece of glasses would sit. You can also place a cold rag in the same place and pinch that. Clotting usually only takes a few minutes - 2-3 at most - sometimes it can take longer depending on the cause.
first of all they revised the way you treat a nose bleed--DON'T tilt your head back--just pinch the nose and it'll stop. obviously if your child was still gushing blood then that's when you need to worry. a couple of trickles is not serious at all. it's ok you don't have to worry about it.
Hi Karen,
It looks like you've gotten a lot of great advice. I have 3 children, my oldest is 10 now and my twins are 7, and we are out of the woods on chronic nose bleeds but as children all three of them had nose bleeds too often. If your child continues to have them,don't worry, it's probably genetic but something you can do to help as a preventative is to apply a small amount of Vaseline gently using a Q-tip to the inside membranes of the nose at night before bed. Once I started doing this consistently I very seldom had to deal with a nose bleed. The weather has a lot to do with it as well. Hope this helps a little more. Have a great day! L.
My only concern with this particular bloody nose is that it seemed to bleed way after the incident. If that's true, I would be concerned that some other injury as occurred other than a typical nose bleed. It might not hurt to put a call into a nurse hotline or doctor to get professional advice.
