Nosebleeds in Children: First Aid and When to Seek Care

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 6, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 6, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

Most childhood nosebleeds are not dangerous and stop with the right first aid. The key is to sit up, lean forward, and apply uninterrupted pressure to the soft lower part of the nose for a full 10 minutes.

Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First

A nosebleed that stops with correct pressure can usually be managed at home. Get urgent help for severe bleeding, concerning symptoms, or bleeding after a significant injury.

CALL 911 NOW

  • Your child is unresponsive, has fainted and is too weak to stand, has severe trouble breathing, or you believe your child is in immediate danger

  • Your child has a serious head or facial injury with major bleeding, confusion, repeated vomiting, seizure, or other emergency symptoms

GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW

  • Bleeding remains heavy after 20 minutes of correct, uninterrupted pressure to the soft part of the nose

  • You think your child has lost a large amount of blood; is pale, sweaty, weak, dizzy, or looks seriously ill

  • The child is coughing or vomiting a large amount of blood or dark material, or bleeding follows a significant blow to the head or face

  • You suspect an object, button battery, magnet, or other item is in the nose. Do not probe or try to remove it yourself

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • Bleeding does not stop after the first 10 minutes of correct pressure, even if it later stops after another 10 minutes

  • Nosebleeds are frequent, routinely last more than 10 minutes, occur with easy bruising or bleeding gums, or there is a family history of a bleeding disorder

  • Your child has a chronically blocked nose, one-sided foul-smelling drainage, recurrent one-sided bleeding, or you are concerned about an object in the nose

  • Your child takes medicine or has a medical condition that affects bleeding, clotting, or platelets

  • A baby younger than 1 year has a nosebleed, or you are unsure how to perform the first-aid steps safely

How to Stop a Nosebleed

  • Stay calm. Have your child sit up and lean slightly forward. Encourage them to spit out blood rather than swallowing it

  • Using your thumb and finger, firmly pinch the soft lower part of the nose, below the bony bridge. Do not pinch only the bridge of the nose

  • Keep steady pressure for a full 10 minutes by a clock. Do not release it to check during that time

  • Have your child breathe through the mouth. Do not have the child lie down or tilt the head back

  • If bleeding continues, apply correct pressure again for another full 10 minutes. If it remains heavy after 20 minutes total, seek emergency medical care

What Not to Do

  • Do not tilt the head back or have the child lie flat; this can lead to swallowing blood and vomiting

  • Do not put tissues, cotton, gauze, or other objects into the nose unless a healthcare professional has instructed you to do so

  • Do not repeatedly release the nose to look for bleeding before the full 10 minutes have passed

  • Do not probe inside the nose or try to remove a suspected object, battery, or magnet

After the Bleeding Stops

  • For the next 24 hours, avoid nose picking, forceful nose blowing, strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and hot drinks or hot baths when practical

  • If bleeding restarts, repeat the same sit-forward-and-pinch routine for 10 minutes

  • Swallowed blood can cause nausea, vomiting, or a darker stool. Seek care if vomiting is repeated, there is a large amount of blood, or your child looks unwell

Preventing Recurrent Nosebleeds

  • Dry air, colds, allergies, nose rubbing or picking, and forceful blowing are common triggers

  • Use saline spray or drops as needed for dryness and ask a healthcare professional about a small amount of petroleum jelly or another moisturizing plan if bleeding areas repeatedly crust

  • Keep fingernails short, encourage gentle nose blowing, and use a humidifier if indoor air is very dry

  • Discuss allergies, frequent congestion, regular medicines, and repeated nosebleeds with your child's healthcare professional before using medicated nasal sprays

Call Preparation

  • How long the bleeding lasted, whether pressure was continuous, and how often nosebleeds have occurred

  • Any injury, suspected object in the nose, fever, congestion, allergies, easy bruising, bleeding gums, or family bleeding history

  • Your child's medicines and known medical conditions, especially a bleeding disorder or low platelet count

Related Guides

  • Coughs, Colds and Breathing: When to Seek Care

  • Allergic Reactions, Hives and Swelling: When to Seek Care

  • First Aid for Common Injuries: When to Seek Care

  • Poisoning and Possible Ingestion: What to Do Now

Sources and Medical Review

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), How to Stop a Nosebleed: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Chronic Nosebleeds in Children: What To Do: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Nosebleed Symptom Checker: Read source

  • Seattle Children's, Nosebleeds: Read source

  • NHS, Nosebleed: Read source