My son bleeds from the nose

My son use to bleed from the nose. He is 5 years old. I am confused as to what to do. Please help me.

Spencer (by SMS)

Nose bleeding (epistaxis) although seldom a cause for alarm, can sometimes be life-threatening because of the position of the nose – right in the middle of the face – and its high density of blood vessels. Nosebleeds are most often caused by local trauma but can also be caused by foreign bodies, nasal or sinus infections, and prolonged inhalation of dry air. Tumors and vascular malformations are also potential causes of nosebleeds, but they are rare. Spontaneous nosebleeds are fairly common, especially in children just like in your son. When the mucous membrane (a mucus-secreting tissue inside the nose) dries, crusts, or cracks and is then disturbed by nose-picking, it is likely to bleed.  You should endeavor to keep your son’s nose moist with vaseline especially during the dry season when the case of epistaxis is high. In addition, he should be discouraged from picking his nose. Pinching the nose and throwing back his head during a bleeding attack will help stop the flow. Luckily many children grow out of the problem as they grow older when their blood vessels also gets stronger.