Nosebleed Causes and Prevention
Medically Reviewed by
- Lorre T. Henderson, M.D.
Question
My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Answer
Generally nose bleeds occur because the small blood vessels are shallow within the tissues of the nose. This is normal, but the constantly wetting then drying of the nose can cause the nasal tissue to crack (similar to chapped lips), resulting in bleeding.
Often applying Vaseline or other petroleum-based ointments inside the nose can help minimize drying. If nosebleeds occur often, the offending area in the nose can be locally cauterized to seal the vessel.
Some children may have blood-clotting abnormalities, so checking with your primary care physician to rule this out is important.