anxiety over nosebleeds

[chocolate-chip chooky]

My 11yr old daughter had a nosebleed a couple of days ago. Now she's panicked that it will happen if we go out anywhere.

 

She's had nosebleeds plenty of times in the past and has taken it in her stride. This time it's ... different, for some reason. That unpredictability is really, really worrying her. 

 

We've talked through the reasons nosebleeds happen, and the most common timing for them to happen. We've also talked through what we'd do if it happened while we're out.

 

I'm not sure how best to support her.

 

Any ideas or experiences to share?

 

 

[Rachel]

I'm sorry! My daughter got nosebleeds regularly and started becoming embarrassed if they happened in public. I keep tissues in my car and purse just in case.

 

Our friend is an ENT and he said he could cauterize the inside of her nose but that it kind of burns and isn't always a permanent solution. My daughter declined. She does have a small tube of Ayr (that may be spelled wrong) gel that we found at the pharmacy. She puts a little in each nostril at night and hasn't had any nosebleeds since she started using it a few months back. The ENT also recommended the gel and his advice was spot on.

 

I don't really have any advice for moral support.

 

ETA: https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ayr-saline-nasal-gel/ID=prod4998-product

Edited April 28, 2017 by Rach

[Selkie]

Two of my kids used to be prone to nosebleeds and we always had a box of NasalCease with us wherever we went. They are these little fiber plugs that you put in your nostril and they make the bleeding stop pretty quickly. Maybe having something like that on hand would put your dd's mind at ease, because they stop the bleeding and aren't messy like using kleenex or paper towels. You can buy them on Amazon.

[chocolate-chip chooky]

Thank you both for your replies. I really appreciate it.

 

I'll look into both of those products.

 

Easing her mind - that's exactly what I'm hoping to do.

 

Thanks heaps.

[amy g.]

In my family, it would be because an older sibling told her that Atilla the Hun died from a nose bleed!

[chocolate-chip chooky]

In my family, it would be because an older sibling told her that Atilla the Hun died from a nose bleed!

 

I won't be mentioning that and adding to the worries!

[wintermom]

What are the reasons her nosebleeds are happening? Is it a medical issue? Maybe she has good reason for her anxiety. I might be pretty stressed about nosebleeds if they were linked to a disease or something I didn't understand. 

 

What are you doing to prevent them from happening? Is there some way to do this? 

 

I used to have frequent nosebleeds as a kid from dry, cool air. One of my sons also gets them infrequently. I never was too stressed because there was no scary underlying medical issue at all. My ds has never been stressed either. I'm thinking that knowing exactly what's causing them, and doing what you can to prevent them, has been very helpful. 

Edited April 28, 2017 by wintermom

[chocolate-chip chooky]

Thank you, wintermom, for your thoughts. I appreciate your perspective.

 

The nosebleeds themselves are infrequent (other than the one two days ago, the last time would have been perhaps 9 - 10 months ago, last winter).

 

The pattern is pretty clear. It's when the weather here starts getting cool and dry (our autumn). And if she needs to blow her nose a lot, then the combo sets it off. Her Dad and one of her older sisters have been similar.

 

She's not at all concerned about any medical issue, and we've talked through the causes and the physiology of what is happening. If she has a nosebleed at home, it's all nosebleed schmosebleed.

 

The issue is the anxiety over it happening while we're out somewhere. I think her biggest worry is with the potential to create a scene in a public place. I'm guessing age is a factor. She's just turned 11.

 

Thanks heaps for your help.  I really appreciate it.

[wintermom]

Thank you, wintermom, for your thoughts. I appreciate your perspective.

 

The nosebleeds themselves are infrequent (other than the one two days ago, the last time would have been perhaps 9 - 10 months ago, last winter).

 

The pattern is pretty clear. It's when the weather here starts getting cool and dry (our autumn). And if she needs to blow her nose a lot, then the combo sets it off. Her Dad and one of her older sisters have been similar.

 

She's not at all concerned about any medical issue, and we've talked through the causes and the physiology of what is happening. If she has a nosebleed at home, it's all nosebleed schmosebleed.

 

The issue is the anxiety over it happening while we're out somewhere. I think her biggest worry is with the potential to create a scene in a public place. I'm guessing age is a factor. She's just turned 11.

 

Thanks heaps for your help.  I really appreciate it.

 

That's great it's not a medical issue and not very frequent. I've tried putting a dab of Vaseline inside my nose to prevent it being too dry. And tissues can really dry the skin, too. Cloth hankies have been better for me.

[Selkie]

That's great it's not a medical issue and not very frequent. I've tried putting a dab of Vaseline inside my nose to prevent it being too dry. And tissues can really dry the skin, too. Cloth hankies have been better for me.

 

Our doctor said not to put Vaseline or any other fat-based product in your nose because it can get into your lungs and cause lipoid pneumonia. He recommends only using a water based nasal gel.

[Tap]

I would make her a purse with supplies and have her bring it with her wherever you go for a while. Give the bag a silly name that has nothing to do with blood, nosebleeds or public.   Maybe her AYR (air) bag.....because that is a preventative (AYR gel is a saline gel with moisturizer) that goes in the bag, which will remind her to apply/prepare before she leaves the house.  Or if she is the type to make fun of her self, the EOPB (emergency over-preparedness bag).  Let her name it but make sure it focuses on the positive not the negative.

 

Include....A small mirror.  A super absorbent cloth that is a dark color (wont show blood), a traditional red handkerchief, or a travel pack of kleenex, which ever she would prefer. A pack of the disposable nose bleed swabs that have a medicine on them that clots the blood. A tube of Ayr Gel and a few qtips for her just in case she feels anxious and can use it as a preventative.

 

I have had chronic nosebleeds all my life. The ENT jokes that my nasal blood vessles are the size of fire hoses!  LOL  I have the cauderation done this past fall and it was painful....but worth it.  This was the first winter without running a humidifier 24/7 in my home.  It helped so far, but I know it may not be permanent.

 

 

If she is anything like my kids, she will put lots of effort into making it, and then take it a handful of times and then drop it.

[wintermom]

Our doctor said not to put Vaseline or any other fat-based product in your nose because it can get into your lungs and cause lipoid pneumonia. He recommends only using a water based nasal gel.

 

That does sound like a better idea. 

[KungFuPanda]

Nosebleeds freak me out.  I've had exactly two.  One during each pregnancy.  It was flippin weird.  My kids get them all the time.  I hate the unpredictability of it and seeing all that blood.  My kids are completely unfazed and think I'm an overreacting freak!  I'm with your daughter on this one.  I do not like it.  I even asked my son's pediatrician and neurologist about them.  Neither one were impressed.  "Yeah, it happens." That's what a Johns Hopkins Neurologist told me.  Friggin quack.  Why can't the see random hemorrhaging for the medical emergency it is and FIX it?

 

Kung Fu Panda

World's Worst Nurse 

[Tanaqui]

In addition to what people suggested above - especially the gel! - make sure she stays hydrated. When the weather turns dry, you need to be sure to drink plenty of water. (This also helps some with chapped lips and ashy skin. Obviously you want to use lip balm/lotion on those parts, but - hydration!)

 

Other ideas: humidifier, and nasal irrigation (using a saline spray is what Dr. Google recommends).

[Tanaqui]

Also: Anxiety can be a trigger for nosebleeds. Kind of a catch-22 there. I wouldn't mention that to your daughter, though!

[heartlikealion]

Thank you, wintermom, for your thoughts. I appreciate your perspective.

 

The nosebleeds themselves are infrequent (other than the one two days ago, the last time would have been perhaps 9 - 10 months ago, last winter).

 

The pattern is pretty clear. It's when the weather here starts getting cool and dry (our autumn). And if she needs to blow her nose a lot, then the combo sets it off. Her Dad and one of her older sisters have been similar.

 

She's not at all concerned about any medical issue, and we've talked through the causes and the physiology of what is happening. If she has a nosebleed at home, it's all nosebleed schmosebleed.

 

The issue is the anxiety over it happening while we're out somewhere. I think her biggest worry is with the potential to create a scene in a public place. I'm guessing age is a factor. She's just turned 11.

 

Thanks heaps for your help.  I really appreciate it.

 

You said upthread that you keep tissues in your purse. What about her? Does she keep some on her person? I would have her keep them in her own pocket/purse. Ds keeps getting a runny nose in public. I try to keep tissues but sometimes I run out in my purse and we're inside a store when it happens. This literally happened yesterday. There was a whole box inside the car, but neither of us thought to take any inside. Suddenly his nose started running and he was kinda freaking out like oh no I need a tissue right.this.second. I had him rush to the bathroom (he was walking funny, tilting his head lol) and instructed him to get extra tissue to keep in his pocket. And that's not even a bloody nose, just runny. So I can totally imagine how a child might react. It happens almost every time we're in Mass!! lol. Right there in the church pew. It's like, "not again!!" haha.

[Tap]

Nosebleeds freak me out.  I've had exactly two.  One during each pregnancy.  It was flippin weird.  My kids get them all the time.  I hate the unpredictability of it and seeing all that blood.  My kids are completely unfazed and think I'm an overreacting freak!  I'm with your daughter on this one.  I do not like it.  I even asked my son's pediatrician and neurologist about them.  Neither one were impressed.  "Yeah, it happens." That's what a Johns Hopkins Neurologist told me.  Friggin quack.  Why can't the see random hemorrhaging for the medical emergency it is and FIX it?

 

Kung Fu Panda

World's Worst Nurse 

LOL..  They can, somewhat.  Nasal cauterization.  It hurts like the dickens though. They use either electricity or silver nitrate to burn the skin over the leaky vessels in your nose.  It kills some vessels, and leaves  scars behind to prevent future leaks.  LOL

[chocolate-chip chooky]

I would make her a purse with supplies and have her bring it with her wherever you go for a while. Give the bag a silly name that has nothing to do with blood, nosebleeds or public.   Maybe her AYR (air) bag.....because that is a preventative (AYR gel is a saline gel with moisturizer) that goes in the bag, which will remind her to apply/prepare before she leaves the house.  Or if she is the type to make fun of her self, the EOPB (emergency over-preparedness bag).  Let her name it but make sure it focuses on the positive not the negative.

 

Include....A small mirror.  A super absorbent cloth that is a dark color (wont show blood), a traditional red handkerchief, or a travel pack of kleenex, which ever she would prefer. A pack of the disposable nose bleed swabs that have a medicine on them that clots the blood. A tube of Ayr Gel and a few qtips for her just in case she feels anxious and can use it as a preventative.

 

I have had chronic nosebleeds all my life. The ENT jokes that my nasal blood vessles are the size of fire hoses!  LOL  I have the cauderation done this past fall and it was painful....but worth it.  This was the first winter without running a humidifier 24/7 in my home.  It helped so far, but I know it may not be permanent.

 

 

If she is anything like my kids, she will put lots of effort into making it, and then take it a handful of times and then drop it.

 

Now that's some awesomeness wrapped up and topped with a sparkly bow of awesome.

Humour is definitely our style.  Thank you so much for the idea. 

 

I do carry a stack of tissues with me at all times, but she doesn't have her own EOPB. I think just the process of putting it together and knowing it is there will be helpful.  *thank you*

[chocolate-chip chooky]

In addition to what people suggested above - especially the gel! - make sure she stays hydrated. When the weather turns dry, you need to be sure to drink plenty of water. (This also helps some with chapped lips and ashy skin. Obviously you want to use lip balm/lotion on those parts, but - hydration!)

 

Other ideas: humidifier, and nasal irrigation (using a saline spray is what Dr. Google recommends).

 

Yes, as soon as the weather starts getting a bit cool and dry, her lips get chapped and her hands get sore and rough. With lip balm and hand lotion she's a-okay.

 

I'll have to seriously consider a humidifier for overnight, and I'll remind her to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

[chocolate-chip chooky]

She heard about cauterisation in a funny novel she read a while back, Deadend in Norvelt.  It was just an odd side-story in an overall odd book. But she loved the book. She is kind of odd herself  ;)

[chocolate-chip chooky]

Thank you all for your suggestions - much, much appreciated!

 

You folks are super  :001_wub:

[kitten18]

Now that's some awesomeness wrapped up and topped with a sparkly bow of awesome.

Humour is definitely our style. Thank you so much for the idea.

 

I do carry a stack of tissues with me at all times, but she doesn't have her own EOPB. I think just the process of putting it together and knowing it is there will be helpful. *thank you*

I would also add some packets of wet wipes to clean up dried blood.