Nose bleeds
Nose bleeds are common in childhood and normally get better by themselves. It is mostly
caused by minor injury to the nose lining such as nose picking but can also be caused if your
child has had a recent cough/runny nose, if they have allergic rhinitis, or a foreign body in
their nose.
The bleeding is usually from the front part of the nose and whilst the amount of bleeding may
seem like a lot (such as soaking through tissues), it is rare for children to lose so much blood
that it causes any problems (such as anaemia). This would only happen with frequent, heavy
nosebleeds over several weeks or months.
If your child has had a nosebleed as a result of a head injury please look at our page here
The advice below should help you decide whether your child’s nose bleed requires further
help or whether it can be managed by yourself at home.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
● Bleeding for more than 15 minutes despite appropriate first aid.
● Bleeding from both nostrils
● Choking on the blood despite sitting your child upright and getting them to lean forward
● Nose has changed shape after injury to the face.
● A problem with their blood clotting or is on medication that thins the blood (such as warfarin, heparin or aspirin)
● Child under 2
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
● Regular small volume nose bleeds that respond to first aid.
● Nose bleeds and bruised skin anywhere on the body or a family history of a bleeding disorder
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS Wales 111 - dial 111
If none of the above features are present:
Care using the advice below, can be provided to your child at home if none of the above features are present.
If your child continues to get frequent nose bleeds, please arrange to speak to your GP or practice nurse.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS Wales 111 – dial 111
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child,
speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111
First aid for nose bleeds:
During a Nosebleed:
1. Gently pinch the soft, fleshy part of your child’s nose (just below the hard bony part)
using your thumb and finger. Hold it firmly for 20 minutes without letting go.
2. Keep your child sitting upright and leaning slightly forward. Encourage them to
breathe through their mouth.
3. Ask your child to spit out any blood instead of swallowing it, as swallowing blood can
upset their stomach and cause vomiting, which may restart the bleeding.
Helpful Tips:
● Reassure your child and keep them calm. Talking softly can help them relax.
● Avoid releasing the pressure to check if the bleeding has stopped until the full 20
minutes are up.
● If ice is available, your child can suck on a small piece, or you can place an ice pack
on their forehead or the back of their neck. Offering a cool drink may also help them
feel better.
If the bleeding continues after 20 minutes, check that you are pinching the right spot and
apply pressure for another 10 minutes.
If the nosebleed still doesn’t stop, call an ambulance and continue applying pressure until
help arrives.
After the Bleeding Stops:
For the next 24 hours, encourage your child to:
● Avoid picking or blowing their nose.
● Do calm and quiet activities, like reading or drawing.
● Avoid hot baths, showers, or warm drinks.
Preventing Future Nosebleeds:
● If your child’s nose is dry, apply a little Vaseline (or a similar product) inside their
nostrils twice a day for a week. Use a cotton swab or your finger, but this is best for
kids over 4 years old who can stay still.
● If your child is constipated, increase their water and fiber intake (like fruits, veggies,
or whole grains). If needed, ask your doctor or pharmacist about a stool softener to
prevent straining.
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Sound advice
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Sound advice
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Wales Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Wales Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 Wales if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 Wales if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
Sound advice
