Saed News: Nosebleeds in children are one of those incidents that usually frighten parents greatly and quickly make them think of the worst scenarios. In such situations, many parents assume that their child may have cancer or a serious and malignant disease.
According to SAEDNEWS, Dr. Hassan Abolghasemi, a pediatric hematology and oncology subspecialist and founder and head of the Iranian Pediatric Blood and Cancer Association, says: “Nosebleeds in children are normal in 99% of cases, and the cause is usually dryness of the nasal mucosa; because this mucosa is inherently fragile and, naturally, children’s noses may sometimes bleed. These bleeds can follow different patterns; sometimes they occur once a month, sometimes seasonally, and sometimes they worsen during allergy seasons and may happen once, twice, or three times a week. In normal conditions, nosebleeds in children are considered a natural issue and are related to nasal dryness.”
Abolghasemi continues: “In these cases, the problem can usually be controlled or resolved with simple measures, such as applying vitamin A inside the nose, avoiding dry air and strong sunlight, using a humidifier if needed, and in some cases treating or controlling allergies. These measures help improve symptoms and in many cases the problem resolves on its own.”
This pediatric hematology and oncology subspecialist, referring to rarer cases, explains: “In 1% of cases, nosebleeds may be a sign of clotting disorders, such as platelet problems or diseases that reduce platelet count. One of the most common of these is ITP, a condition in which antibodies against platelets are produced in the body. In this disease, the child may experience frequent nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and skin bruising (small subcutaneous bleeding called petechiae and larger subcutaneous bleeding called purpura). These suggest low platelet count, and in such cases the child should undergo tests and, if necessary, treatment should be started.”
Abolghasemi adds: “In even rarer cases, platelet production in the body may be completely impaired. These conditions are usually accompanied by anemia, white blood cell abnormalities, infections, or even bone pain. Therefore, if nosebleeds are accompanied by other symptoms, they should be taken seriously and the child should be evaluated by a physician; but if they occur alone and resolve spontaneously, they usually do not require concern or medical referral.”
The head of the Iranian Pediatric Blood and Cancer Association also refers to rare clotting disorders and says: “Some rare coagulation disorders such as von Willebrand disease or deficiencies in certain clotting factors can also present with nosebleeds. However, in these cases, other symptoms are usually present in the child’s history. If such disorders exist, specialized evaluation and treatment are necessary.”
This pediatric hematology and oncology subspecialist, rejecting common concerns about a link between nosebleeds and cancer, emphasizes: “Clotting problems or nosebleeds have no connection to cancer. This fear among parents has no scientific basis. Nosebleeds alone, without any other symptoms, should not cause concern or fear of a child having malignant diseases.”
Doctors say anxiety is not usually a direct cause of nosebleeds, but it can play an indirect role. A child experiencing stress or intense excitement may engage in behaviors such as nose picking, a temporary increase in blood pressure during intense crying, or increased restlessness and irritability, all of which can raise the likelihood of bleeding. Therefore, anxiety should be considered more of an “aggravating factor” rather than a primary cause.
