Nosebleed in children. Background and techniques to stop the flow.

Nosebleed in children can result from dryness and picking of the resultant crust over the anterior part of the nasal septum, trauma to the nose, juvenile angiofibroma, or disorders of hemostatic mechanisms. In most cases it is not difficult to treat; often the primary care physician can assist a patient by giving instructions over the telephone to a parent. In the office or hospital, the usual measures are firm pressure, placement of a piece of cotton dipped in a cocaine-epinephrine solution, taking of a brief history, application of petrolatum, and taping of the nose. If bleeding persists, anterior nasal packing and, rarely, posterior packing should be performed. Maxillary artery ligation is done in cases of severe epistaxis. Special care must be taken with children who have a bleeding disorder or who are recovering from adenoidectomy.