First things first, if you ever see your teen bleeding from the nose out of nowhere, don't panic. There is nothing to be alarmed. Just like other conditions like mood swings, high energy, and difficulty in decision-making, nosebleeds are a part of growing up too.
Nose bleeds can be controlled and treated without much hassle under most circumstances. But again, there are times when you must ring the alarm and address the issue without delay. But how would you know when to and when not to ring the alarm? All you need to do is read this post and learn all about nose bleeds in teens.
Types of nosebleeds:
There are two types of nosebleeds:-
1. Anterior Nosebleed: It occurs due to the breaking of the capillaries or small blood vessels in the front part of the nose. It is quite common in teens.
2. Posterior Nosebleed: It occurs due to more serious problems and is rare in teens, common in adults and elderly. High blood pressure patients often experience such nosebleeds.
What causes nosebleeds in teenagers:
At times, the nasal membranes dry out due to dry air, which causes crusting inside the nasal membranes. The crusting, when picked, can result in nosebleeds. There are other more common causes of nosebleeds in teens too. They are:
n Cold n Dry climate n Excessive cold climate
n Excessive heated indoor air n Allergies
n Use of drugs or anything else that is snorted
As stated above, these are some of the common causes of nosebleeds that, in turn, are caused by the irritation of the nasal lining.
Apart from these, there are more serious causes of nosebleeds too:
n Internal bleeding due to injuries n Nasal tumours n Chronic illness n Leukemia n Blood clotting disorders n Blood vessels formed abnormally
These serious problems cause frequent nosebleeds in teenagers, and you must seek professional help to sort it at the earliest.
How to prevent nosebleeds in teens:
If you notice that your teenager has a tendency of nosebleeds, you can prevent it in the following ways:-
n Educate your teenager that blowing nose can aggravate nosebleeds, so she must avoid it as much as possible. n If it isn't possible to avoid it completely, make sure your teenager blows her nose gently and never forcefully. n You can check with your doctor and install a humidifier in your teen's room. This way you can prevent your teen's nasal membranes from getting too dry. n You may advise your teen to use lubricants that help moisten her nasal membranes. Use a small cotton dab and gently apply it inside nostrils at bedtime. n You may also ask your teen to use saline drops available in the market. These help moisten the nasal membranes. n If your teen is into sports or other physical activities, make sure she wears protective gear at all times to avoid injury.
How to stop nosebleeds in teens?It is easy to stop frequent nosebleeds with these simple steps:-n Make your teen stand up or simply sit up. n Reach out for a box of tissue to soak the blood flow. n Tilt your teen's head forward. n Now press the nose just below the bony part of the nose - right at the center. n Apply pressure steadily for about 10 minutes roughly. n Do not relieve pressure before ten minutes to check if it has stopped.
A word of caution:
* DO NOT let your teen blow his nose as it can further cause bleeding. n NEVER tilt your teen's head back during nosebleeds. n DO NOT stuff tissues or anything else inside nostrils to stop bleeding.
* The tissues can cause the blood to flow through your teen's throat, making her choke. n It can even make your teen vomit. n Once the nosebleed stops after these steps, avoid lifting heavy objects as it can cause strain and start bleeding again. n DO NOT let your teen blow her nose for the next 24 hours.
If the bleeding does not stop even after attempting the steps mentioned above, contact your physician immediately and seek medical advice and help.
The writer is a contributor at
www.momjunction.com
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