my middle child always got them when he was younger and the Doctor said it was caused by the blood vessels would dry and crack which caused them to bleed. He would get them even when he was sleeping and he is 30 and still gets them from time to time.
When I was a kid I used to have nose bleeds all the time. I don't remember a day from ages 4 to 11 when I didn't have one. In 4th grade I remember I had such a bad nose bleed that I just hung my head over the toilet. Once I hit 11 or 12 they stopped coming all the time. They would last from seconds to maybe 15 to 20 minutes (possibly longer, but it's been so long - I'm 23 now - that I don't exactly remember). I had to quit gymnastics because of the chalk, I had a humidifier every winter to try to keep the air from drying out - a HUGE cause of the bleeds I still get - and whenever I would get the slightest tap on my nose it would bleed. I lost a heck of a lot of blood as a kid, but now I'm ok.
I try to keep hydrated so my nose doesn't dry out, and if I hit it I put pressure on the bridge of my nose right away. When he's sick, make sure he doesn't get too "plugged up" because it can cause nose bleeds, too. If the medicine dries up his nose too much, it's gross, I know, but a little saliva rubbed around inside helps (something he'll actually probably enjoy doing if he's 6).
When he does get a bleed, apply ice to his forehead and sides of nose/under eyes where his sinuses are to try and get it to clot up, as well as keeping his head down - not back - so that the blood can clot that way as well. The only thing he'll get from his head back is a giant tummy ache from all the blood he's swallowing.
AH, and if it helps, I do have a deviated septum, so it's always possible this caused some of my problems. I still have it, but since I get a nose bleed maybe twice a year, it probably isn't what caused them.
The previous reply looks like it might scare you, so I was trying to make it less scary by reassuring you that I'm 23 alive and healthy and I had the same problem. And there's probably no need to do anything TOO drastic right now. If he's always running around, chances are he is dehydrated and bumping his nose around. I hope this is the case and nothing more is wrong. Good luck!
Hello,
Nose bleed is called epistaxis.It is very common in children due to local inflammatory diseases, infections, and trauma.Sometimes liver disorders,sinus and nasopharyngeal abnormalities or serious causes like bleeding disorders and leukmias can also cause epistaxis.
Examination from an ENT specialist is mandatory if epistaxis is a recurrent problem to confirm the cause of recurrent epistaxis.Sometimes investigations to check the coagulation and liver profile and leukemias or aplastic anemias may be required.
Whenever nose bleeds occur,apply direct pressure by squeezing the nostrils together for 5-20 mintutes.keep the head levated but not hyperextended so that blood does not spill in the pharynx.Also use a humidifier at home as epistaxis is sometimes caused by dryness in the home.If still bleeding occurs,then it is better to consult an ENT specialist so that saline nasal spraying and packing can be done.
Hope this helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional doubts