Ask the Doc: ‘Any tips about nose bleeds?’

Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24 medical director, answers readers’ questions in our weekly column

Q. My child is prone to nose bleeds, should I be worried?

A. Nose bleeds are common in children between two and 10 and are often caused by nose picking.

Nose bleeds aren’t usually a sign of anything serious. To stop one sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils, for at least 10-15 minutes. Leaning forward and breathing through the mouth can help – this will drain blood into the nose instead of down the back of the throat.

Place an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables covered by a towel on the bridge of your nose. Stay upright, rather than lying down, as this reduces the blood pressure in the blood vessels of your nose and will discourage further bleeding.

If your child is under two, or is having nose bleeds that come and go regularly, you should speak with your GP.

Q. I won’t be able to attend the hairdressers for a while so I’ve invested in some home hair dye, but I’m worried about allergies. What do I need to be aware of?

A. In the pandemic lots of us are reaching for home hair dyes. However, you should be aware of the possibilities of an allergic reaction. The best way to avoid a reaction is to do a patch test, by putting a small amount either behind your ear or inner elbow to make sure you can spot any of the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

These include sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose, and itchy, red, watering eyes. You may also experience wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and a cough, a raised, itchy, red rash (hives), swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face. Symptoms may also include tummy pain, feeling sick, vomiting or diarrhoea, as well as dry, red and cracked skin. If you have an allergic reaction, speak to your pharmacist about treatment – they may prescribe an antihistamine.

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