2 Year Old with Nose Bleeds

Updated on April 14, 2009
T.A. asks from Ventura, CA
22 answers

Hi fellow mommies,

My 2 year old daughter has had major nose bleeds the last couple of days. She wakes up in a small pool of blood and has nosebleeds on and off throughout the day. We do all the normal nose bleed precautions; kleenex in her nose, vaseline.... I just heard from the Dr. that they want her to get her nose cauterized. Has anyone had any experience with this?? I'm worried...

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for easing my mind and sharing your stories! We actually did NOT get cauterized, yet. My daughter was so upset just looking at the numbing machine and equipment, he recommended we wait it out. He recommended waiting as long as possible and hopefully, the bleeding would pass and it will be come a mess issue rather than a life threatening situation. Of course, if she were to bleed again for longer than a couple hours, we were told to take her in right away - to either the ENT or the ER. The bleeding started to shorten over the weekend and she didn't bleed at all during the night. I'm very glad we waited it out!! Both her father and I had nose bleeds as kids - I guess it runs in the family. Thank you again!!

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A.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Put a humidifier on in her room at night. Huge help for my daughter who used to get a lot of bloody noses!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.H.

answers from San Diego on

i have never heard of that but sounds like she has a possible leaking blood vessel or vein and to cauterize would kind of sear the tissue where the bleeding is coming from.i wouldnt worry.that sounds very reasonable and easy procudre and so great that they can do something like that.i hope all goes well or went well.take care and HAPPY EASTER!

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M.C.

answers from Las Vegas on

HI there,
I would get a second opinion from a GOOD ENT Dr first! Never hurts before going through any kind of surgery! You will feel better also after meeting with an ENT that specializes in this.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Our 6-year-old has this too. It's something that runs on my husband's side of the family. I did some research and low vitamin K can be the cause, but my son wasn't low in K. I spoke with the pediatrician and he suggested the saline drops and this helped my son tremendously. He was getting nosebleeds daily (and often waking up with them), and now maybe once/twice a month. Some people have posted that the cautirization isn't bad, but personally I would exhaust all natural alternatives before going that way.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

T., my 4 year old has nosebleeds a lot too. I believe that in our situation it is genetic since his dad gets them fairly frequently as well. The one thing that I have noticed that helps is the saline nose sprays. We use Baby Ayr saline spray for kids. I am sure that they are all the same. I notice the nosebleeds more when the air is very dry or the winds are blowing. My son has gotten to the point now that he knows when he is bleeding or going to start bleeding and gets the tissue and then comes to me or his dad. I would double check with another doctor because awhile ago one of the doctors we mentioned the nosebleeds to mentioned a disease that is associated with nosebleeds. I am sorry that I can't remember the name and it was nothing major but evidently treatment for this disease would also cure the nosebleeds. I would try saline spray 2-3 times a day and especially before bed. I think my husband had his nose cauterized as a child and he doesn't really seem to remember it being a big deal. The only reason we haven't done it is because the saline seems to be working for now. One other quick note, if your daughter goes to daycare/school be sure to mention to all the teachers that she is getting nosebleeds. People who are not accustomed to seeing noesbleeds (and a lot of blood) may panic.

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M.K.

answers from San Diego on

Hi! I had chronic nosebleeds as a child. It would bleed and bleed and bleed...My cappilaries were very close to the surface...my doctor suggested cauterizing...We did that and I never had problems again. The cauterizing was a little bit painful but I wonder if they have perfected the technique now so that it's not? Anyway...worked for me!

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E.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,
It's not a big deal, done in less than a minute. My daughter didn't complain, and she was SO happy not to have nosebleeds. It was embarrassing to her as they continued to happen at school. I would do it, and make it easier on you and her.
Also, my doctor also said to put neosprin (sp?) in her nose, and that seemed to help too.
Good luck.
E.

S.I.

answers from San Diego on

Hi T.,

Why subject your little one to an invasive procedure like cautery when you can resolve these issues permanently with constitutional homeopathic treatment for her?

I'm networked with colleagues around the U.S., so let me know if you need a referral and I'll help you find one.
Best,
S.

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M.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Dear T.:

I guess this is another one of those weird things that run in families because we've dealt with it too. In this generation, the worst one is my nephew. I remember waking up ATTACHED to my pillow when I was a kid because of all the dried up blood and he's the same way. The problem with me was the medicine I was given against allergies. It dried me up. With him, it's the intense desert climate. The solution for both of us was saline drops. It's so simple but it works so well. In addition, have your daughter drink lots of water and, with MODERATION, change her diet a bit as follows.

Moderate/reduce these foods:

Foods that are generally high in salicylates include many spices, most fruit, especially dried fruits, nuts, and also some flavorings and preservatives.

Herbs and spices high in salicylates include: Curry powder, Cayenne pepper, Ginger, Paprika, Thyme, Cinnamon, Dill, Oregano, Turmeric, Licorice, Peppermint.

Fruits high in salicylates include: Raisins, Prunes, Cherries, Cranberries, Blueberries, Grapes, Strawberries, Tangerines, Oranges.

Increase foods high in vitamin K:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/vitamin-k-foods.htm

Best wishes,

M.

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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 6-year-old daughter has had this problem for several years and has had to have her nose cauterized twice. It is not a big deal -- not nearly as bad as it sounds. It is quick and easy and it works. You should do it if your doctor recommends it, because the nosebleeds can be scary sometimes. She still may have some nosebleeds afterwards, but not nearly as many and probably from neighboring nose vessels, which is why my daughter has had it done twice. But it is not a big deal. It just stings for a couple of seconds.

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C.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Not a big deal. I was more like 12 when I had this done, but no pain at all...and I am sure they have improved the treatment. Never really got nose bleeds after treatment and now I am 30. Good luck!

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T.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yup, like a couple others said, try saline nosesprays. I am pregnant and getting a lot of nosebleeds, but when I remember to do the saline sprays, the mucus stays clear and no bloody noses.

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S.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

my youngest gets a lot of nosebleed too, esp. recently. I've been putting a little bit of vaseline on q-tip and apply lightly in his nostrils. It seems to help a bit.

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had my nose cauterized as a teenager. I got bloody noses all the time. it smelled bad-but, it didn't hurt. I wonder if a 2 yr old need to be sedated?

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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

T.,

My sister had this done as an adult and it was in her opinion no big deal. She had it done because her ENT was not happy with how her nosebleeds had increased, and her sinuses were always inflamed. However, she will have to have it done again in a year because it doens't 'last' as our doctor put it.

But, I'm wondering if you've seen an ENT or if this is the opinion of the Pedi? My sister and I both have allergies, hers worse than mine, and we both suffer from nose bleeds due to dry nasal passages as a result of the allergies.

You might want to ask for a referal if you don't already have one and get a second opinion. If it's only been a couple of days there night be some alternatives to the procedure before you go that way.

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S.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had two sons with chronic nosebleeds. One had to go to the hospital and be cauterized. The doctors told me to have them hold their heads back, not forward, and to put anything possible cold on the back of their necks, including a cold can of soda. This worked most of the time. One son was a ballet dancer and could not have a nosebleed on stage so they had us put some neosenephrine on cotton and put it in his nose. This kept his nose from bleeding while he was dancing. I wonder if some saline solution would help? You can purchase it already made up. Their problem had to do with large blood vessels in the nose with very thin covering. During heat, particularly, these would expand and burst open.

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K.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 4yo daughter has had this problem since birth. My 3 yo son has them ocasionally. My husband, like my daughter, has frequent nose bleeds. My husband, as a child, had the capillaries cauterized. It was uncomfortable and scarry and obviously didn't take care of the problem.
My daughter has had two peds and neither of them have suggested this, as they say it is not always the solution. We basically have learned to live with this and have taught her how to react when she gets a nose bleed.

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L.R.

answers from Honolulu on

My 6 year old has had several nose bleeds over the past year. They were getting more and more frequent and lasted so very long. We were putting her in the bathtub, holding the bridge of her nose, putting ice on the back of his neck, trying to wait out the bleeding. They started off on one side and then later both sides would bleed. The nurse recommended the saline drops and also to put a little bacitracin (first aid ointment) in the nose a few times a day for a week or two. She said that once the nose had a cut, it would probably occur again, as the scab was trying to heal inside the nose, the skin around the scab is dry and if she scratched or bumped it, it would reoccur and continue to get worse. The saline drops and bacitracin both keep the nose moist and allows the cut to heal completely. It's helped tremendously. Good luck!

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E.N.

answers from San Diego on

I had to have my nose cauterized a couple of times as a kid. I think the first time was when I was about 5. I just have a very sensitive nose, even to this day. Haven't needed cauterizations again since childhood, but everytime I get a cold and have to blow my nose a lot, I get bloody noses, and I often get them when there is a change in the weather. I've just learned how to deal with them, not panic, get the right pressure points and they stop fairly quickly. Other than that, I have always been perfectly healthy so I don't believe it is indicative of any more serious problems - just a sensitive nose.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sorry. No experience with that. My gut though says talk with another doctor before coming to a decision. Perhaps someone who practices both Western and Eastern medicine. There may be Chinese herbs that would help.

Best wishes,

M.

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L.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Nose cauterization is a simple almost painless procedure. I had my first done when I was about 3 and most recently about 5 years ago. If this is the recommendation I would have it done. It stops the nosebleeds and for the most part keeps them away. You may want to use saline drops or spray to keep her nasal passages moist.
Good luck.

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J.C.

answers from San Diego on

I would consult with an ENT specialist and then get a second opinion if needed from another ENT. Dont put anything in her nose without physician recommendation or it could make things worse.

Best of luck,
J.

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