A tendency to nosebleeds often runs in the family. Many children have nosebleeds for no apparent reason. A nosebleed usually comes on suddenly, with blood flowing freely from one nostril. A child who has nosebleeds at night may swallow the blood in her sleep and vomit it up or pass it in the stools. Most nosebleeds stop by themselves within a few minutes, but for persistent bleeding, see Stopping a nosebleed, further down this page.
Nosebleeds are unlikely to indicate serious disease, although bleeding can result from injury.
Youngsters are especially likely to have nosebleeds during colds and in the winter months when the mucous membranes become dry, cracked, and crusted, or when a chronic condition such as allergic rhinitis harms the membrane. A child with a chronic disease that causes forceful coughing, such as cystic fibrosis, may have frequent nosebleeds. And parents of those with inborn disorders affecting the blood's ability to form clots, such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease, should be watchful about harmful habits such as nose-picking. You believe your child has lost a lot of blood. Your child is bleeding from the mouth, or vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds.