Bloody Nose

[daycare]

Just curious how you guys handle them at daycare. How many do you allow in one day? Do you send home, etc.

It seems that because of the change in the weather, some of the kids are getting bloody noses.

[Brooksie]

Jeez, I never thought about that... I haven't had a single bloody nose yet in my 2 years. Sorry, I'm not much help. Guess it is something I need to consider. I would say at the second one? Or if one lasts more than a couple minutes. You can't have blood all over the place no matter what the cause.

[daycarediva]

Depends on the severity. I apply pressure (pinch) will NOT tilt their heads back. After 15 minutes, I make the call to come pick up. I have a dcb who had his first SEVERE bloody nose while in my care and THIS is why I have this policy. He SNEEZED and it started to bleed, bled steadily for 35 minutes before Mom arrived, who took him to the ER and it had to be cauterized. He has since had it happen 3 other times. He RUBS it and it starts to bleed and he is a nose picker, so it happens often.

[Cradle2crayons]

It depends on the child. If its a child with a documented medical history, I only call for pick up if it doesn't stop within 20 minutes.

If they have a documented medical history, generally I have a treatment plan.

I had a child who aged out of my program but he had them severe and daily. He was cauterized several times and eventually had surgery but they still never stopped completely. Nose picker too. But his treatment plan includes pinching, leaning forward and if it continues or re bleeds we used Afrin to constrict the blood vessels in the nose. Of course, that was with dr orders only.

If its a new thing, I would call if it didn't stop within 10 minutes. Or if they had more than two in one day.

[daycare]

I guess these have been on-going. DCD said they have been happening nightly for the last month or so. Child is only 20 months..

It stopped quickly, but now its a runny bloody nose off and on. I think I may need to send home and advise a trip to see the doc.

[Blackcat31]

I used to have a DCK that had chronic bloody noses.

I handled them by setting up a treatment plan with the parents and the doctor.

I required the doctor to state that he/she had seen the child and that there were NO underlying issues.

I then sat down with the parents and discussed what I would and wouldn't do.

The family and I agreed that one or two bloody noses in a week's time was ok. (this family was 5 days per week).

Anymore than 1 PER day meant going home. Anymore than 2 in a week meant going home.

Anything over 3 in a week (at home or at daycare) required another doctor's visit.

I TOTALLY understand bloody noses as we get severe winter here as well as a majority of households here use wood heat which can be very drying to the nasal cavities.

However, as a child care provider, I am NOT willing to allow something that can be a potential sanitation and or a potential "bio-hazard" issue....kwim?

[snbauser]

I have never had the issue with daycare kids but would say if it hasn't stopped within 20-30 min they need to go home. I can't sit there with them forever until it stops. I did have issue with my own child. His mostly occurred at night. If they are weather related with the dry heat of the heat being turned on in the house then the best solution is to add a humidfier in their room. It adds the moisture back into the air while they are sleeping and greatly reduces the nose bleeds.

[spinnymarie]

My DD gets a bloody nose frequently.
Honestly, if they are pretty short (as hers are) I'd be fine with 2x/day as long as I know there is no underlying cause.
If it were long and lots of blood or super frequent, I'd definitely want an end point. (Not that I get one with DD )

[Familycare71]

I've never had to make a health plan over them- my dd gets them and the best thing you can do for "seasonal" bloody noses is Vaseline in the nose. We use a a-tip- once in the am and once in the pm. Works wonders!!

[Blackcat31]

I've never had to make a health plan over them- my dd gets them and the best thing you can do for "seasonal" bloody noses is Vaseline in the nose. We use a a-tip- once in the am and once in the pm. Works wonders!!

Yeah, but that is YOUR daughter. I don't think licensing would allow me as a provider to put Vaseline up someone's nose with a Q-tip...

Also, using petroleum based jellies IN your body, especially your nasal cavities can be dangerous.

"Petroleum jelly is generally safe to use. Rarely, however, inhaling fat-based substances (lipoids) — such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil — for prolonged periods can cause lung problems. "

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petroleum-jelly/AN00947

I know it says "rarely" but even once is too much liability for me. Especially since we deal with kids under age 5 and most of them don't just "leave it alone"...kwim?

[Familycare71]

Yeah, but that is YOUR daughter. I don't think licensing would allow me as a provider to put Vaseline up someone's nose with a Q-tip...

Also, using petroleum based jellies IN your body, especially your nasal cavities can be dangerous.

"Petroleum jelly is generally safe to use. Rarely, however, inhaling fat-based substances (lipoids) — such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil — for prolonged periods can cause lung problems. "

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petroleum-jelly/AN00947

I know it says "rarely" but even once is too much liability for me. Especially since we deal with kids under age 5 and most of them don't just "leave it alone"...kwim?

:: I'm laughing because I knew EXACTLY what this was going to say!
Yes- I meant it as a FYI - I also wouldn't do it for a dck... I have suggested parents talk to their dr about doing it. I should have been more specific

[Cradle2crayons]

Yeah, but that is YOUR daughter. I don't think licensing would allow me as a provider to put Vaseline up someone's nose with a Q-tip...

Also, using petroleum based jellies IN your body, especially your nasal cavities can be dangerous.

"Petroleum jelly is generally safe to use. Rarely, however, inhaling fat-based substances (lipoids) — such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil — for prolonged periods can cause lung problems. "

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petroleum-jelly/AN00947

I know it says "rarely" but even once is too much liability for me. Especially since we deal with kids under age 5 and most of them don't just "leave it alone"...kwim?

Not just that but it breeds bacteria also. Vaseline isn't recommended in the diaper area or any mucous membranes anymore due to infections. It's now recommended to use plain saline nasal spray to lubricate e nasal membranes.

[Blackcat31]

:: I'm laughing because I knew EXACTLY what this was going to say!
Yes- I meant it as a FYI - I also wouldn't do it for a dck... I have suggested parents talk to their dr about doing it. I should have been more specific

:: It's all good!

I've done some odd things with my own kids too.

It's too bad that the rules are so much different for daycare kids.

It would make this job so much easier.

[Familycare71]

:: It's all good!

I've done some odd things with my own kids too.

It's too bad that the rules are so much different for daycare kids.

It would make this job so much easier.

. I just thought it was funny- guess I've been around long enough to read your mind!
Yes- it would be SO much easier!! Esp when I know how to fix a problem but they just won't listen!! The - ugh- just let me do it!! That's how I end up clipping nails, cleaning ears, etc... Just easier that way
I didnt know about the petroleum issues tho- I did it when I was little too and once my dd started her Ped recommended it. I will be more cautious about recommending it from now on- always good to learn

[Cradle2crayons]

. I just thought it was funny- guess I've been around long enough to read your mind!
Yes- it would be SO much easier!! Esp when I know how to fix a problem but they just won't listen!! The - ugh- just let me do it!! That's how I end up clipping nails, cleaning ears, etc... Just easier that way
I didnt know about the petroleum issues tho- I did it when I was little too and once my dd started her Ped recommended it. I will be more cautious about recommending it from now on- always good to learn

I'm the same way.... I clip nails and clean ears too .

And yes, it would be so much easier if we could do what we know works