Bloody noses??

Raine - posted on 04/11/2009

This might sound a little strange, but have you had him tested for Von Willebrand's disorder? It is a fairly common bleeding disorder that can occur in both males and females. Its most common symptom is nosebleeds. We found out my daughter has it when she was two. I was tested and found out I did as well, I was just never diagnosed as a child. It can be very mild to more severe depending on the type. It can take a few different times for tests to show a positive result because bleeding times can be affected by stress, sickness and other physiological actions. They can do a genetic test but generally they will not unless there is a family history due to cost. We had my son tested after he was born and he was negative. There is about a 50% chance of a child having the disorder if one parent does. If your son is having frequent nosebleeds it may be something you want to question your doctor about. The nosebleeds and frequent bruising were the two most prevalent symptoms my daughter had when diagnosed.

Tiffany - posted on 04/11/2009

I had the same problem as a kid and my mom was always worried and taking me to different doctors..they told her the same thing. Mine started when I was about 3 and were horrible all through elementary school. I got them in gym class all the time when I got hot, in the spring time when all the pollen is out and I got them for "no reason at all". It stopped happening so much as I hit middle school but I still get them from time to time, now in definate connection to pollen and dust & such. My sinuses are are sensitive to all sorts of things...could be what his problem is also. I wouldn't worry.

Laura - posted on 04/11/2009

my 18 month old just got her first nose-bleed this week, and at night too. I was thinking that she just picked her little nose!

Beatriz - posted on 04/11/2009

My son had his first nose bleed 3 months and I've told by my husband that it runs in his family. My son's cousins get nose bleeds on a regular basis and they don't freak out as much than the moms. When my son had his nose bleed, my brother-in-law advised me & my husband to apply a cool wet wash cloth or towel on top the head for 12 second just to keep it cool. Continue doing this until the nose bleed disappears. It really does work!

Tracy - posted on 04/11/2009

thanks for all the feed back. We do you use a humidifier at night. Thanks for the tips on the environment but he gets them when we are traveling as well. In Florida last fall which is very humid he got them every day and night. I also got them as an older kid. But only in the extreme heat and high altitude but not at 2 years old. The Dr has given me labs for blood work, but I don't want to do that to him if I don't have to. That is why I was seeing if it is a regular occurance for other children. Thanks again!

Nikki - posted on 04/10/2009

I forgot to mention, my daughter's nose bleeds, and my own when I was a child, were always when we were hot, from physical activities, if it was hot and humid out, if she had a fever....but mostly if she was running around playing in the hot weather, I know now to expect a nosebleed. And yes, her's too are thick dark blood as well.

Nikki - posted on 04/10/2009

I was the same way when I was a child, constant nose bleeds out of no where. My 9 year old daughter is the same. Her nose will start to bleed A LOT for no reason. My dr is not concerned about it, as long as the bleeding can be stopped. I don't know why this happens, but I hope you don't worry too much about it. It's actually not an uncommon thing in children.

Take Care.

Amie - posted on 04/10/2009

I did the same thing when I was a kid until I was about 8ish. Where I live though it's a dry climate. So during the summer months is when it happened the most. During the winter it was only at home or school. Try the humidifier, it may not get rid of them completely (didn't for me) but it will help. Saline drops probably will help to but they are so nasty and uncomfortable. I don't like them even now. lol.
I remember too by the time I was 5 I knew how to take care of it myself. My kindergarten teacher called my mom once freaked out because my nose had started bleeding, all I did was get up and go to the bathroom got some tissue and laid down with my head back until it passed. ha.

Libby - posted on 04/10/2009

I also just thought of, if it is from dry air, they have saline nasal sprays that you can moisten the nasal passages with.  It's not harmful at all.  In fact when we were on vacation once in a warmer climate my son was having nose problems and we got that to moisten his nose and it really seemed to help.

Kristeen - posted on 04/10/2009

One of my boys gets them when he's too hot, not so much now (he's 9) but more so when he was little. My 2nd has only had 1 or 2 & those were from a knock to his face. My 3rd son (now 4), however, picks his nose (as a n odd habit before he sleeps, even day naps in the cat), & gets bleeding noses quite often, & more so in hot weather.

It does seem that your son does get rather a lot though, have you asked a 2nd doctor?

Libby - posted on 04/10/2009

If they haven't found anything physically wrong with him that would cause nose bleeds, perhaps it is a product of his environment.  Maybe the air is too dry where you live or in your home.  Try a humidifier.  Maybe putting some moisture into the air while he sleeps will help.  If it's not that perhaps there is an allergy that is getting overlooked.  Do you have any pets?  Try changing your furnace filter more often or get a better brand that will help filter the particles in the air better.  If it happens mostly at night when he is obviously at home, I am led to believe it has something to do with the air in your home.  Perhaps he is just more sensitive to something.   The hard part is figuring out what.  Good luck!