Did the Fonz (Henry Winkler) know that mountain climbers often get nosebleeds at high altitudes because as the amount of oxygen in the air decreases and the air becomes drier, blood vessels inside your nose can crack and bleed? Apparently he did. In one episode of "Happy Days," when he ends up sitting near the top of the cheap seats at a concert, he remarks, "A guy could get a nosebleed up here." And, "Aaay," that's the origin of the term "nosebleed seats."
For kids, nosebleeds aren't something to joke about. They are pretty common from 3-10 (from dry air or nose-picking), and the remedies are the same as they are for a mountain climber:
- Sit or lean slightly forward and allow blood to exit the nose. Then, firmly pinch the nose closed just below the upper bony part. If you can, use a dark towel to wipe off the blood; it might be less distressing for a child.
- Check to see if the bleeding has stopped after five minutes (15 for a mountain climber).
- Don't pack a nose with gauze or tissue unless it's a last-ditch effort to stop the bleeding before you head to an urgent care center. The reason: When you remove the tissue, you may remove a formed scab, and the bleeding may start again.
If a child's nosebleeds become chronic, see a specialist who may do a cauterization. It's a safe and effective heat-sealing of a weak blood vessel.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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