My child gets nosebleeds fairly often. How do I treat them?

Occasional nosebleeds are fairly common in children ages 3 to 10. You can treat them by pinching his nose for about 10 minutes straight. Have him sit upright or lean slightly forward.

For young children, or ones who get squirmy, try reading to him or watching a special video while you pinch his nostrils. Have him hold on to a favorite stuffed animal's nose so they can share the experience.

After applying the pressure, see if the bleeding has stopped—some nosebleeds stop within five minutes. If it has stopped, try to avoid irritating the nose until it heals. If it doesn't stop after 10 minutes of pressure, try 10 more minutes. Call your doctor if it continues.

The good news is that there are ways to prevent nosebleeds:

• Avoid keeping your house too warm or dry.
• Consider using a vaporizer or humidifier to keep the air moist.
• Ask your pediatrician if you should apply petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment inside your child's nostrils to avoid future nosebleeds.
Teach your child not to pick his nose or blow it too forcefully.

If your child has frequent nosebleeds, contact your pediatrician, who may recommend medication or refer him to an ear, nose and throat specialist for treatment.