any magic to prevent/stop nose bleeding? :(

My son has platelet count at 15K for a while, and he has heavy nose bleeding (on and off for several hours each time I pinch firmly for 30 minutes) about once a month. This time his hemoglobin dropped to less than 7 and need a platelet and red blood cell transfusion.

So far his platelet symptoms are all related to nose bleeding, no fatigue no bruise and other symptom... I wonder if anyone else has the similar problem. Other than humidifier in bedroom and nose saline drop twice day, is there anything else we can try? Is there any medicine/plug/magic you have experienced to quickly stop nose bleeding?

Thanks!

My ENT told me to saturate cotton with Afrin and put in the nose for 20 minutes when it happens.

We kept Afrin nose spray on hand for those times. In the ER, they soak small gauze pads in Afrin and place them in the nose. Ice or cold compress over the sinus, right between the eyes, can also slow or stop a nosebleed.

My ITP teen took vitamin C (capsules - the chewables are too sour for some folks), and it seemed to help with vessel integrity. Less bruising and fewer nosebleeds. She took a capsule or two a day. (Too much can cause diarrhea, so don't overdo the C.)

A non-ITP friend was put on aspirin therapy and another drug for heart and would have terrible nose bleeds - eventually had to have nose packed. In the ER was given a white "clamp" to put on nostrils and also told to use Afrin when a nose bleed would happen.

For daily use was told use the saline spray - also Ayr Saline Nasal Gel. Check that out - but also check to make sure would be ok for a child.

I second this - our pediatric hematologist recommended the Afrin trick as well!