Yesterday, Squeaks and I learned something new and interesting. We were outside in the fort’s yard when I suddenly got a nosebleed. At first, Squeaks was worried, but I assured him that everything was okay. Nosebleeds are quite normal and usually don’t hurt. Once the nosebleed stopped, we decided to learn more about why they happen. It turned into a fun research project!
Our first question was how a nose can bleed in the first place. It turns out that our noses are full of blood vessels. These are tiny tubes, like veins, that carry blood from our hearts all around our bodies and back again. There are blood vessels everywhere in our bodies, but the ones in our nostrils are close to the surface. Nostrils are the small holes in our nose. When something scratches or cracks the inside of our nostrils, it can open up one of these blood vessels, causing a nosebleed. It’s like getting a tiny cut inside your nose.
Our next question was about what can cause a scratch or crack inside a nostril. The most common cause is dry air. Nostrils need to stay a bit wet to be healthy. Most air has some water in it, so it doesn’t dry out our nostrils much. But when the air is very dry, like when it’s cold or windy, it can dry out our noses and cause a tiny crack in a blood vessel, leading to a nosebleed.
Other things can also scratch the inside of your nose, like if something scratchy accidentally gets in there. Even picking your nose can cause a scratch! That’s why it’s a good idea to keep things out of your nostrils.
By the time we learned all this, my nosebleed had already stopped. Squeaks was curious about how I made it stop. I’ve had nosebleeds before, so I knew what to do. First, I stayed calm and reminded myself that nosebleeds are normal. Then, I found some tissues and a quiet spot to sit. I leaned forward so the blood could run out of my nose and pinched my nose hard right under the bony part. This helps the nosebleed stop quickly because it gives the blood vessels time to cover themselves back up.
While I sat there, I breathed through my mouth and relaxed. I also held tissues under my nostrils to catch any blood. I made sure not to blow my nose, as that could make the bleeding start again. After about 10 minutes, the blood vessels covered themselves back up, and the nosebleed stopped. I threw away the tissues and washed my hands and face with soap and water. After that, I was all better!
Once we learned how nosebleeds work and how to stop them, Squeaks wasn’t scared anymore. If you ever get a nosebleed, you’ll know what’s happening. Just tell a grown-up so they can help you stop the bleeding. Remember, lots of people get nosebleeds, so you’re not alone!
If you have any questions about nosebleeds or anything else about your body, ask a grown-up to help you leave a comment or send us your questions. Thanks for learning with us, and we’ll see you next time!
Make a Nose Model: Gather some simple materials like a small balloon, a straw, and a bit of red food coloring mixed with water. Blow up the balloon slightly and attach it to one end of the straw to represent the nose and nostrils. Gently squeeze the balloon to see how the “blood” (colored water) can flow through the straw. Discuss how this model shows what happens during a nosebleed and why it’s important to be gentle with our noses.
Observe the Weather: Keep a weather diary for a week. Each day, note if the air feels dry or humid and if it’s windy or calm. Discuss how different weather conditions might affect your nose and why dry air can lead to nosebleeds. Encourage children to think about how they can keep their noses healthy in different weather conditions, like using a humidifier or drinking plenty of water.
Role-Play Nosebleed First Aid: Practice what to do if you get a nosebleed. Use a red marker to draw a pretend nosebleed on a piece of paper. Then, act out the steps to stop a nosebleed: sit down, lean forward, pinch your nose, and stay calm. This activity helps children remember the steps and feel confident in handling a nosebleed if it happens.
