Need advice quickly please. To go to A&E? Waiting for a call back from 111 - beginning to really panic *MNHQ content warning for blood*

It might be the change in weather. I get them at this time of year. I roll up 2 pieces of tissue or gauze, get her to blow out gently through her nose then insert them as far as I can and then pinch my nose hard with them in there, as close to the bony bit as I can. Hold for at least 20 seconds then remove, blow gently again and repeat. It usually works.

Are you seeking medical attention for dd?

I used to get them as a child frequently and so did my DS, I reckon its an hereditary thing, I have a weak vein in my nose and so does my DS. I know it sounds silly but I do think its the change in atmospheric pressure that brings them on and affects how severe they are. Thats why I get them more in the summer. I called 999 once at night when they were particularly bad over 20 mins with my son and a paramedic came out and calmed my son down and it stopped quite soon after. Try not to worry and keep as calm as possible but do seek medical advice.

My teacher had a sudden massive nose bleed, collapsed, was rushed to hospital and died.

Was a symptom of the massive aneurysm he had suffered.

Nose bleeds are very common in children and I'm sure OP doesn't have to worry that her DD brain hasn't 'popped' but uncontrollable bleeding is definitely an A&E issue and ambulance worthy. Uncontrolled bleeding from anywhere will trigger and emergency.

I am not a doctor.
But my daughter had a similar nosebleed -blood coming out of both nostrils, was difficult to stop it-, next morning she had small red dots on her hands and feet, + small bruises. It turned out to be idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and she had extremely low platelets -blood wasn't coagulating-. We went straight to the GP who then sent us straight to hospital.
It's always worth getting it looked at. Hope your daughter is okay

@TheKhakiBee

I would ring the surgery and ask for an on-the-day appointment, OP.

I (and my brother) had those growing up - really bad, lots of blood & clots, etc. Turned out there was a hole or something in a blood vessel, leading to more blood than usual. Had to get them cauterized to stop these kind of nose bleeds.

We once treated a woman who had been packed by the GP and told to call out of hours if it didn't stop.
She came in by ambulance and went straight to resus. It wasn't a positive outcome. I was only weeks into the job I've now been doing for 20 years. I have never seen that much blood since and I've been to many a major haemorrhage whilst working ED.

Whilst this child may not need an ambulance, there are certainly times when a nosebleed calls for one.

Exactly. I get that it’s distressing for the op but if she doesn’t drive then she should call a taxi - no way is this life threatening enough to merit an ambulance.

Christ.. people are actually making posts about 'live' injuries - this is f'ing absurd

Glad the bleeding stopped but sorry she has had another one this morning.

DS suffers from ridiculously heavy nosebleeds - like a tap at times. We have heard the "if it doesn't stop after 15 minutes go to A&E" (not heard to call an ambulance) which I think is based on them being able to cauterise. However I have always gone with assumption that it would stop by the time we arrived at A&E let alone waited to be seen.

We've used non-applicator tampons held underneath the nostril to collect blood - more absorbant than tissue and gives a comparison of how much blood is being lost to something parent would be familiar with. Really pinching the nostril hard in the fleshy bit (not the bony bit), sucking ice cube.

DS has had his nose cauterised (multiple times) it's a bit sore afterwards but not too bad and - fingers crossed - hasn't had a nosebleed in last 6 months.

Do follow up with GP and get a referral to ENT and blood tests to check for clotting. If you have a good children's A&E nearby it may be worth going in if she has another today as ENT appointment could take a while (6 months) to come through and the cauterization stick is very quick procedure.

Some of the advice here is pretty interesting.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/nosebleed/

1. For a nosebleed lean forwards and pinch the nose where it’s soft but as high as you can - PUT ON A 10 MINUTE TIMER and pinch consistently for at least as long as this
2. After 10-15 mins - which is a long long time you really need a timer - check, and if it’s still bleeding then pinch again; do this up to three times. If it’s still not stopped then minor injuries/a&e
3. Evidence for ice on the nose/back of neck etc etc is poor. Blood clots less well when it’s cold and you want to form a clot. Certainly don’t do any fannying around with ice instead of pinching.
4. Estimating blood loss is really hard, a little goes a long way. (Despite this the ambulance service do ask how much blood you’ve lost).
5. Ambulances do get called to nosebleeds; very occasionally this is necessary, mostly it isn’t.

This happened to a client of mine. She lost 3 pints of blood and needed a transfusion. I called an ambulance. The paramedics told me that I did the right thing. I was told that I couldn't have stopped it. So yes, a nose bleed can be life threatening.

I had severe heartburn once. I phoned 111 for advice. I told them it was heartburn but they still sent an ambulance for me.
Better to be safe.

What sort of HCP?

I started having nosebleeds last year, I'd had them as a kid but not as an adult. I went to the doctor because they were happening a lot and for a long time.

I remember saying to my doctor "I remembered that it said if your nose bleeds for longer than 20 minutes more than once you should consult a doctor" and she gave me a look and said TEN minutes.

In my case it was just swollen blood vessels due to a virus but like others I do suggest you see your GP.

Hello - op I used to have very heavy and regular long nosebleeds slightly older than your daughter (maybe I was 9/10). Maybe 45min at a time and difficult to stop.

I had my nose cauterised on both sides. It was under general anaesthetic but an easy recovery and made it a lot better
.
I don’t remember any negative impacts on my health but it was a long time ago.
we had private medical insurance which meant it could be done quicker.

It's blood, it started suddenly, there's quite a bit of it, and it's not stopping. That alone, irrespectiive of which body part is bleeding, is enough for any prudent person to seek immediate medical help.

And actually I think you'll find the NHS is in such a mess because it's overpoliticised and underfunded.

OP, given it started again, I'd certainly talk to someone (if only 111) or get her checked out by GP/A&E. Obviously keep her off school for the day as well so she can relax and you can keep an eye on her.

DS2 used to get spectacular nosebleeds. In his case it was a large blood vessel in his nose that was very near the surface. The drier air in the winter especially when the central heating was on was one of the triggers. So was doing sport.

The GP was not great so in the end we paid to see an ENT consultant who cauterised it. Cauterisation solved the problem once both sides of nose was done.
He went from a couple of nosebleeds a week to none in the last few years.

If it keeps happening go to A&E or Urgent Care quickly because when we went with DS2 they wouldn’t help if the bleeding was slowing which after 30+ minutes in the waiting room it was.

Otherwise keep a record of each nosebleed and see your GP and ask for an ENT referral.

I used to get pretty bad nosebleeds when I was young, now I'm older I suffer from dust and pollen allergies daily and have to take an antihistamine. My allergies are always worse mornings and evenings. Any new pets or have you done any DIY that could trigger dust allergies?

Sounds fucking brutal! How big are your nostrils???? I couldn’t get a tampon up one of mine 😂😂😳

Don't be ridiculous, she doesn't describe or show pools of blood on the floor. The child is bleeding from capillaries, not an artery.

It would be far quicker treatment wise for the patient (and cheaper for the NHS) for the patient to attend urgent care or A&E, so how is the ambulance justified in anyones mind?

Well you must be a fantastic diagnotician ,to be able to say that from one photo.🙄