Causes of Nosebleeds in Children

Although a nosebleed can occur to anyone, toddlers and young children are more vulnerable to such a problem. Actually, nosebleeds occur because of the rupture of one or more thin capillaries below the delicate lining of the nasal passage. The common causes of nosebleeds in children are as mentioned below:

• Due to some injury such as a fall while playing or running. If a child happens to hurt his nose when he falls or if hit by something, it is very likely that a nosebleed may occur.

• Excessive exposure to sun is another one of the most common causes of nosebleeds in children.

• Picking the nose; most children have the tendency to pick their noses and they may scratch the lining inside the nostrils, which may result in nose bleeding.

• High fever in children may also sometimes lead to nose bleeding.

• In cold climates, the nosebleed may occur due to dryness in the nose.

• Some children may put some foreign material in their nose, which may result in a nosebleed.

The common symptoms of nosebleeds are as under:

• Blood flowing out from one or both the nostrils is the obvious visible symptom of a nosebleed.

• Traces of blood in the mucous that comes out while coughing.

• Sometimes, a nose bleed may occur while sleeping. In that case, the blood may flow to the child’s stomach through his/her throat. If you observe that your child passes red or brown color stool, it could be an indication of a nosebleed.

• Your child may have a vomiting tendency because of having swallowed the blood during a nose bleed while sleeping or lying down.

In order to prevent nose bleeding, you should take the following steps:

• Always keep the nails of your child short so as to prevent scratching of nose if your child has the tendency to pick his/her nose.
• Keep sharp-edged objects away from the reach of your child so that he/she may not damage his/her nose with them.
• Do not let him/her climb elevated places in order to prevent falls.
• Keep his/her nostrils moist during the winter season with the help of some good cream.

In case, your child happens to suffer from a nosebleed, you should immediately provide the primary first aid for nosebleeds in the following manner:

• Make him sit and lean his head towards his chest. This is necessary in order to prevent the blood flowing to his throat.
• Gently press a cloth near his nose soaked in cold water
• Press his nose gently with your fingers for a few minutes till the bleeding stops.

If the problem persists, take your child to your pediatrician for medical help.

Cures for Nosebleeds

Since a nosebleed is usually harmless and does not pose any serious concern, the treatment for nosebleeds can be done at home. There are several home cures for nosebleeds that you can easily and safely apply. Some of the most effective natural remedies for nosebleeds are mentioned hereunder:

• The first and one of the most commonly used natural cures for nosebleeds is applying a cold compress on and around the nose. For this, take a piece of soft cloth and soak it in cold water. Gently pinch the nose of your child holding the cloth in between your fingers. The bleeding should stop within 5 to 10 minutes.

• Pour 1 to 2 drops of some pediatric nasal drops in the nostrils. Alternatively, you can also use sterilized saline solution. You can prepare this solution by dissolving a pinch of common salt in a glass of boiled and cooled water.

In case the bleeding is severe, chronic, or accompanied with symptoms such as dizziness, it is best to take your child to the doctor.

Treatment for Epistaxis

Epistaxis or nosebleeds are usually not serious and rarely a cause for concern though, treatment for epistaxis should be a priority as it could cause fear and anxiety in the person. Most cases of epistaxis can be handled at home through some simple measures.  When epistaxis originates from the front of the nose, it is known as anterior and when it originates from the rear of the nose, it is known as posterior. The causes of epistaxis may not be identifiable in most cases. The most common cause of nosebleed is injury or trauma to the nose. A blow to the nose or obstruction by a foreign object could result in nasal bleeding.

There are also some other factors that may predispose an individual to epistaxis. Dry and warm climate can irritate the nasal membranes and trigger bleeding. Individuals who suffer from allergies and sinus infections may sometimes experience nosebleeds. Blowing the nose vigorously during a cold or an upper respiratory infection can rupture the blood vessels and lead to bleeding. A deviated nasal septum is another risk factor for epistaxis. Other causes of nosebleeds include nasal surgery and use of cocaine. In rare cases, an underlying condition or intake of certain medications may trigger nosebleeds.

Symptoms of epistaxis include bleeding, dizziness and weakness. If the bleeding is excessive, the individual may also experience confusion and continued blood loss may lead to fainting. In most cases the bleeding begins in one nostril and then floods the part of the nose where the nostrils converge. This leads to blood flow from the other nostril as well. The blood may also drain down the throat and enter the stomach.

It is important to seek medical treatment for epistaxis in case there are recurring episodes or if bleeding occurs very easily. Those with underlying blood clotting disorders and individuals who are on blood thinning medications should also seek early medical attention.

Epistaxis in Children

Epistaxis in children can be traumatic. It can be frightening to experience and see the considerable blood loss that is characteristic of a nosebleed. Some children may be more prone to nosebleeds because the veins are much closer to the nasal membranes than usual and blowing or picking the nose can cause the veins to rupture. Since children may react with anxiety, it is the responsibility of the parent to remain calm and handle the nosebleed properly. Therefore it is helpful for all parents to know about first aid for nosebleeds. Here are the steps to follow when dealing with nosebleed in a child.

• The child must be reassured and encouraged to stay calm. It is highly imperative that the parent is calm as well.

• Have the child sit upright in a chair or in the lap and slowly tilt his head forward. The bleeding will cease sooner when the child is sitting upright instead of lying down.

• Gently pinch the nose using a tissue or cloth. This is helpful in stopping nosebleeds because it exerts pressure on the affected vein and restricts the bleeding. The blood will then coagulate and form a clot.

• Maintain the pressure on the nose until about ten minutes while you breathe from the mouth to ensure that the bleeding stops.

• It is important to keep the child from leaning back as this can cause the blood to drip down the throat. As a result the child may cough or vomit.

• Encourage the child to relax for sometime after a nosebleed.

It is advisable to consult a doctor in case children have recurring nosebleeds or show signs of bruising very easily. In order to prevent further nosebleeds, ensure that the child’s sleeping environment is sufficiently humid as nasal dryness can aggravate epistaxis.

How to Treat Baby Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions all over the world and studies have shown that almost everyone will be affected by the condition at some point or the other over the course of their lives. Though most teenagers are affected by this condition there are a number of people who even in their late thirties who are prone to the condition. Besides all of these another condition that is widely present is that of baby acne. Baby acne refers to a condition that is known to affect mostly newborns as their immunity system is rather weak. This could cause a lot of concern to the parents of the child, and therefore methods on how to treat baby acne are usually sought after. There could be a number of causes that are related to baby acne. Firstly, the fact that the immunity system is still in the developmental stage makes the baby prone to such a condition. Besides this other factors such as hormonal imbalance in the body, pollution in the surrounding area and so on, will also affect the baby and cause baby acne.

Baby acne is a very common occurrence in newborn children. Baby acne is a condition that could be identified by the presence of small whiteheads surrounded by a reddish tinge on the baby’s otherwise perfect skin. However, it is not uncommon for parents to misdiagnose the condition with the development of a few white bumps on the baby’s skin that disappear after a period of a few weeks. This occurrence is known as milia and is completely unrelated to acne. As a result, you should try waiting for about 3 weeks before you start to panic about the possibility of baby acne. Baby acne is a condition that starts to develop around the third week of the baby being born and is primarily the result of the hormones that were passed to the baby. These hormones are responsible are the ones that start to stimulate the oil glands.

Because of the fact that the condition is a rather common one, there are a number of methods when it comes to how to treat baby acne naturally. These baby acne remedies are very effective as also come with minimum side effects, though it is recommended that you keep the doctor informed on the treatment options that you are using. One of the most effective methods of how to treat baby acne naturally is to try scrubbing the baby’s face at least once a day with the help of a mild soap. However this needs to be done gently to avoid hurting the baby. Another well renowned baby acne treatment that could be used is application of breast milk. Breast milk is very effective in treating baby acne and could be applied on to the skin of the baby with the help of a cotton swab. Leave the milk on the skin for a total of about 15 minutes before you wash it off. Make it a point to avoid feeding the baby any greasy or oily foods as well as ensuring that you avoid the use of greasy lotions or oils on its skin that could possibly play a significant role in aggravating the condition. Vinegar could also be used to get rid of baby acne. However this is generally discouraged as it could affect the child’s health and lead to conditions like cold and cough. Also make it a point to take your child to the pediatrician just to make sure that you are treating the primary condition and not purely a symptom of some other skin condition.

Legg Calve Perthes Disease in Children

Owing to the rarity of the condition, one would often question what is legg calve perthes disease? Legg calve perthes disease can be described as a childhood disease, which is associated with the lack of adequate supply of blood to certain parts of the hip joints. Because of the inadequate supply of blood to the bone, it becomes unstable and can break easily. Moreover, since the bone does not receive adequate blood supply, it does not heal properly. Legg calve perthes disease in children generally affects only one hip, but at times, it could be seen in both. Although this condition can be seen in children of all ages, it is a lot more common in those aged between 2 and 12. Younger children affected by the disease tend to fare better, since there is more time to reshape the hipbones. Legg calve perthes disease in children also tends to affect boys more than girls.

Legg Calve Perthes Disease Symptoms

There are certain signs and symptoms that generally accompany legg calve perthes disease in children. Given below, as some of the most common legg calve perthes disease symptoms in children:

• Pain and stiffness in the hip, thigh, groin and knee
• Restricted range of motion
• Limping
• The leg may seem shortened on the affected side

Hence, these symptoms should not be ignored or left unchecked. It is important for parents to have a doctor examine the child, as soon as any of the symptoms mentioned above become evident.

Legg Calve Perthes Disease Treatment

Most cases of legg calve perthes disease in children need to be dealt with, by a pediatric orthopedic specialist. The treatment of this condition is mainly designed to prevent any further stress and injury from affecting the hip joint. At the same time, the treatment also usually ensures that the femur, that is the ball of the thighbone remains in the hip socket. Depending on the severity of the condition, the legg calve perthes disease treatment in children could include:

• The use of anti-inflammatory medication, which generally includes over the counter medicines. This also helps address the inflammation in the hip joints, if used for a longer period of time. The dosage depends entirely on how severe the problem is.

• Improving the range of motion, with the help of legg calve perthes disease physical therapy and exercises, which can help in maintaining the mobility of the joints. While these exercises can be done at home, it is important to consult a physical therapist, at least in the beginning

• Crutches are very useful in easing the pain and allowing the child to keep his or her weight off of the hip, thereby facilitating faster recovery

• In order to promote faster healing, some health care providers immobilize the bone temporarily. The equipment that is generally used for this purpose could include leg casts, hip casts, traction or even leg braces.

• If the muscle in the groin has become shorter because of excessive limping, a doctor may need to perform a surgery, to release it from the bone. After the surgery is completed, the leg that has been affected will need to be put in a cast for around 6 to 8 weeks, or so. During this course of time, the muscle grows to a more normal length. In some cases, the hip ball could also be replaced within the hip socket, with the help of these surgical procedures. At times, the hip socket could also be repositioned.

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent legg calve perthes disease in children. However, with the right treatment and continual monitoring, most children can recover from this problem and go back to performing their normal activities within the period of a year and a half, to two years.