Question

An 8-year-old child experiences nosebleeds when they catch a cold or have exposure to cold air, a symptom that has been present since they were 2 years old. Despite having been examined in several hospitals, no issues have been found. The parents have been boiling traditional Chinese herbs for their child to take at home and are seeking assistance in managing this issue.

Answer

Nosebleeds can have various causes, common ones including trauma, acute and chronic inflammation, and blood diseases. Based on your description, the child has undergone thorough examinations in multiple hospitals, so conditions like blood diseases and nasal inflammation or malformations can be ruled out. Here are some factors to consider:

  1. Environmental factors: Dry weather or high levels of dust in the air may increase vascular fragility and lead to rupture.
  2. Children are in a period of growth and development, and their blood vessels are not yet fully mature, making them more susceptible to rupture due to external factors.
  3. Poor habits, such as nose picking, may cause excessive damage to the nasal skin, potentially leading to shock in severe cases. Once a nosebleed occurs, immediately stop any actions that could worsen the bleeding and choose an appropriate method for compression stop bleeding. Avoid washing or rubbing the area with water. If bleeding cannot be stopped, a cotton ball soaked in adrenaline can be inserted into the nostril to help stop the bleeding. As for taking the child to a hospital for examination, it is recommended to visit a regular hospital where the examination should be targeted to avoid unnecessary checks that could lead to inefficiency.