Is your child prone to nosebleeds? Here are the top nutritional reasons why

Nosebleeds are quite common, especially in childhood. While usually not a cause for serious concern, they can cause a brief panic!

There are several nutritional factors why your child could be more prone to nosebleeds than other kids, and addressing these nutrient shortfalls could help to keep them at bay. And it might also save a few shirt stains and boxes of tissues too!

We’ve probably all had a nosebleed at one time or another, and there’s usually no reason to be concerned, especially if it is due to a bump on the nose. But it’s important to see a doctor if you think there might be something more serious going on or they are persistent.

Read on to find out why nosebleeds happen in the first place, how to handle them when they do, and nutritional ways to help prevent nosebleeds in the future.

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Why do nosebleeds happen?

Nosebleeds are often the result of physical damage to the nose. This could be an obvious injury, like a knock to the nose while playing sports like rugby, or something that may be less apparent, like nose picking. Allergies and frequent sneezing can also damage the tissue in the nose, and the recovery period from surgeries like tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy can temporarily increase chance of nosebleeds.

Some children are naturally more susceptible to nosebleeds than others, even if they are not nose pickers. Thankfully, nosebleeds are easily managed in the moment.

The nasal passage is made up of very thin tissue, which can be difficult to heal once broken. If a particular area is susceptible to bleeding, a doctor will probably prescribe a cream to apply to help it along until it’s healed.

How to help your child with a nosebleed

The first thing to remember while managing a nosebleed is to stay calm. Your child will take their cues from you, and feeling stressed will increase their blood pressure and worsen the bleed.

Next, get them to lean forward to encourage the blood to flow out of the nose instead of down the throat. If blood flows down the throat, it may lead to nausea or vomiting.

While they are leaning forward, firmly pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils, for 10-15 minutes. Make sure pressure is applied to the bleeding area to help it slow down.

Finally, apply a cold compress or an ice pack on the bridge of the nose or on the back of the neck. This constricts the blood vessels and helps to reduce bleeding.

Nutritional reasons your child might be prone to nosebleeds

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis. Collagen helps the skin to heal and maintains the strength and integrity of blood vessels. A vitamin C deficiency can lead to fragile capillaries, making them more prone to rupturing – resulting in nosebleeds.

You can increase your child’s vitamin C intake using foods like oranges, raw bell peppers and parsley. Blueberries and bilberries can also help to strengthen the mucous lining of the nose. You could also add lemon juice to water to have a vitamin C boost or try natural vitamin C supplements such as ascorbic acid or amla.

Vitamin K
Vitamin K supports the liver to produce proteins that enable the blood to clot. Without enough vitamin K, wounds are more likely to bleed more heavily and for longer, including nosebleeds.

Your child’s vitamin K intake can be increased through leafy green vegetables, cheese, beef liver, chicken, butter, sauerkraut, and egg yolk. Natural supplements like nattokinase can also provide more vitamin K and you often find vitamin K2 alongside vitamin D3.

Vitamin D
Children susceptible to nosebleeds have often been found to have low vitamin D. Scientists think this is because vitamin D helps with immunity and relieving inflammation, so a lack of it may lead to greater irritation of the nasal passage.

Exposure to sunlight is the best way to get vitamin D. Direct sunlight on the skin while outdoors during spring and summer is usually enough to get what we need. Sadly a lot of people don’t get this.

And during the colder, darker months, we will certainly not be able to make enough vitamin D from sunlight alone – this is between October and March in the UK. During these months, the NHS recommend paying particular attention to vitamin D in our diets as well as topping up with vitamin D3 supplements. Grass fed meat, organic whole milk, oily fish, and some mushrooms are good dietary sources of vitamin D. Lots of people choose to supplement year round if they have darker skin or don’t get out much.

Zinc
Zinc helps to repair tissue and supports the immune function. A deficiency in zinc may impair the healing of the nasal lining, contributing to more frequent nosebleeds. If you child is run down, always blowing their nose or finding it hard to heal from cuts and grazes, then zinc may be helpful.

Foods high in zinc include red meat, poultry, nuts and seeds, wild rice, baked beans, and cocoa.

Round Up

Nosebleeds can be a frustrating and mildly irritating experience, but they’re usually nothing to worry about and easy to manage!

I have shared some wonderful foods and nutrients that you can weave into your child’s diet to try and prevent regular nosebleeds in the long term. And if you’re struggling to get enough of these nutrient goodies into their diet, then top up with food supplements until things improve.

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