First Aid for a Child’s Nosebleed

If a child has a nosebleed, here’s what to do step-by-step:

🩸 First Aid for a Child’s Nosebleed

1. Stay calm and reassure the child.
   Nosebleeds look dramatic but are rarely serious.

2. Sit the child up straight — don’t lie them down.
   This helps reduce blood pressure in the nose and slows bleeding.

3. Tilt the head slightly forward.
   This prevents blood from running down the throat (which can cause coughing or vomiting).

4. Pinch the soft part of the nose (just below the bony bridge).

   • Use your thumb and index finger.

   • Keep firm pressure for 10 minutes (don’t keep checking early).

5. Encourage breathing through the mouth while holding the nose.

6. After 10 minutes, release and check if the bleeding has stopped.

   • If still bleeding, pinch again for another 10 minutes.

7. Once stopped:

   • Wipe gently around the nose; don’t blow or pick it.

   • Avoid hot drinks, exercise, or nose picking for a few hours — these can restart bleeding.

🚨 Call a doctor or go to hospital if:

• The bleeding lasts more than 20 minutes despite pressure.

• The child swallowed a lot of blood or is vomiting blood.

• The nosebleed happened after a head injury.

• The child gets frequent nosebleeds without obvious cause.

• The child looks pale, dizzy, or weak.