Together, however, these two symptoms might indicate certain medical issues.
Sometimes, nosebleeds are part of childhood migraines.
Nosebleeds are uncommon before the age of two.
A very young child who has a nosebleed should get medical attention.
Nosebleeds occur when small blood vessels in the nose break.
Subtypes of primary headaches include tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cluster headaches.
Parents often wonder when they should worry about childhood headaches.
Keep in mind that common things are common and uncommon conditions are uncommon.
Allergies (Allergic Rhinitis)
Allergic rhinitis orhayfeveris a common cause of both headaches and nosebleeds.
Withallergies, nosebleeds can be recurrent, and headaches are usually relatively mild.
Infections
Infections may also cause headaches with nosebleeds, and sometimes fever is present as well.
Although uncommon, headaches with nosebleeds are classic signs of animal-transmitted infections like brucellosis and psittacosis.
For example, a Lego accidentally placed in the nose can lead to nosebleeds and uncomfortable headaches.
Migraine Headaches
Just as with adults,migraines in childrenmay have symptoms other than headaches.
Childhood migraine can involve stomachaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue along with head pain.
It was found that nosebleeds often preceded the headaches by around three years.
Overall, children who have recurrent nosebleeds are four times more likely to develop migraine headaches.
Trauma
Trauma to the head, face, or nose may lead to headaches and nosebleeds.
Brain tumors, such as olfactory groove meningiomas, may also give rise to these symptoms.
Vascular Disorders
Conditions marked by abnormalities in blood vessels can give rise to both headaches and nosebleeds.
They can cause bleeding, which may lead to nosebleeds.
If bleeding occurs in the brain, it can cause headaches.
These cancers may involve the central nervous system, causing headaches.
Lethargy, confusion, or the sudden onset of a severe headache may be signs of a serious condition.
If your child has a history of head trauma, seek immediate care.
Trust your instincts as a parent and call.
This can sometimes mean urgent care is needed.
Some symptoms that can help narrow the possible causes are:
Your pediatrician will then perform a physical exam.
Depending on the findings, they may recommend further evaluation.
The treatment of nosebleeds and headaches will depend on the underlying cause.
Of course, it could simply be a coincidence that your child has both symptoms at the same time.
In being an advocate for your child it’s helpful to learn about potential causes.
Doing so can sometimes alert parents to report a symptom they might otherwise dismiss as unrelated or unimportant.
Most importantly, your intuition as a parent can be priceless, so confirm you listen to it.
Schechter M, Stevens DM.
